HANG TIME HEADQUARTERS — We’ve heard from most everyone that is allowed to speak in the days, weeks and months since the NBA lockout began.

From NBA Commissioner David Stern to union executive director Billy Hunter to an assortment of players with microphones in their faces and on twitter, plenty of folks have weighed in on the impasse that is holding up the 2011-12 regular season.

The only voice missing, at least around these parts, has been that of the fans. Until now, of course. We will lift the silence today, in whatever way we can, by sharing some of the correspondences we have received here at the hideout in the wake of last week’s breakdown in talks between the two sides … (these are your words):

The Voice Missing From The Equation

There is a key party with no representation at the labor negotiations between the players and owners – the fans. The fans are the ones who pay those multi-million dollar salaries on both sides and buy all those jerseys and other sports paraphernalia. I’ve been a basketball fanatic ever since I was a kid in the ’70s. When I read that 2 billion dollars isn’t enough for 400 players who are playing basketball for a living in what is a non-essential profession such as sports entertainment in an economic downturn, it gets my blood boiling.

If I were to represent the fans at those meetings, my words would be sharp and to the point:

“Players, we pay your salaries. You are not the intangible asset, we are. If the owners are in fact telling the truth and only 8 teams are profitable, and a 50/50 split is what they need to remain viable over the long-term, then tighten your belts (yeah right) and accept the 50/50 split.

If just one more game is canceled, WE are going to boycott YOU. Many of us will stop attending your games and spending money on your jerseys and other accessories. That 4 billion dollar pot is going to shrink, fast. You can have 50% of 4 billion dollars (which still sounds ridiculously high for us peasants in the stands), or hold out, cancel more games, lose more salary, enrage your true employers, and try to hold out for a bigger portion of what will surely be a smaller pot.”

— Mike Genung

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What Took So Long To Get Serious?

What bothers me the most besides a deal not getting done, is the fact that players and owners have had enough time to talk about a deal since the lockout started. Why wait until the end of September to start having serious talks about the CBA.

Basketball has become a fixture in my house for over 25 years and have seen my favorite team go through some ups and downs.

Just recently my daughter (last season) was really getting into the games and I started to notice that not only was she watching our favorite team, but started to follow other teams as well, turning on the computer and watching archive games on League Pass. This brought a tear to my eyes. How much she was looking forward to the next season was exciting to watch. Marking on her calendar and coming up to me saying only so many more days ’til the season. WOW, how excited I was for her; at the same time hiding my thoughts about the lock out.

I came home from work one day, as we sat at the table for dinner and I told her that the lockout may cause some games to be lost, I can see it in her big hazels she was disappointed, but, were hoping for the best outcome of the labor talks. Just like dad, she began paying attention to all the negativity that was being thrown around, she started watching NBA TV to keep tabs on the labor talks or lack there of. Moving forward to the 30 plus hours of talks, she followed these meetings hoping to hear what we all wanted to hear, that an agreement has been made. NOTHING. Both sides (as I refuse to say respective) came out and said that a deal was not reach. Listening to Adam Silver and Peter Holt talk their talk and Hunter and Derek Fisher talk their talk, she couldn’t believe what was being said. She asked me, “Doesn’t the players work for the owners”? I say yes, then she said, “Why do they want to make more money than their boss?” I responded with a I’m not sure but I would love to make more money than my boss …

The one thing we don’t want to hear is how all these players and owners that are leaving the Twitter messages or saying to the world how they feel for the fans and the local businesses, how sorry they are that there isn’t any basketball because we can’t figure out how to distribute millions of dollars. We don’t want to hear it, we just want you to get a deal done … go back to talking, go back to figuring this situation out. Because when my daughter is upset I get very upset.

— Ray Garcia

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Don’t Kill The Goose

It’s called killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. I’m done and I’m walking away. They, the owners AND players don’t give a damn about the fans or the game. I don’t give a rodents rump if they ever settle. I will never watch another NBA game.

— Frank, Indianapolis, IN

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Slicing The Pie

All this talk about cutting the pie brings me back to childhood. Mom used to give me and my brother a piece of pie, she would let one of us cut it, but the other got to pick which piece they wanted. I don’t understand why the NBA can’t do what 5 year olds can..

— Trevor

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Not Feeling Like A Fan Of Anyone Right Now

I’ve always wondered about how much the teams actually cared about the fans, and now we all finally know. When players, owners, and the NBA do commercials at the end of the season to thank fans for the support throughout the season, we now know that they only thank the fans when their pockets are lined with millions of dollars at the end of the day. I am normally a huge NBA fan and a die-hard Warriors fan, but I’m not a fan of either at the moment. After all the support we show, you’d think the NBA could put aside a couple of differences so that we could have a season, especially since the only reason the NBA makes any money is because the fans pay for tickets and watch on TV. I know any real fan is truly upset right now. This is a sad day for the NBA…

P.S. If the season happens, the 2012 NBA championship won’t be legit with the minuscule number of games.

— Jonathan Ikinaga, Mountain View, CA

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All This Talk And No Results

So disappointing…. Not really sure how 30 hours of negotiations can produce zero results. I wish I could tell the players and the owners that there are fans who rely on the NBA to get through their day, to inspire them, to bring purpose, and to fill that basketball void that is inside us true fans. Don’t see how this lockout is good for anybody. The owners are all so rich, can’t they just give the players what they want? I realize it’s complicated, but this is starting to seem more about ego than money (at least partly). Just needed to vent, thanks.

— Eric Kristt

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Perhaps Another Solution?

I have the solution to the revenue split.

Compromise: For the first $75 Million, revenue split 50/50. For everything over $75 million: 57 players/43 owners split. So if the players have a killer $ season, they get rewarded. If the season bombs, the owners still get their 50/50.

I just want basketball to begin.

— Peter Lucnik Jr., BULLS FAN

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Nowhere Else To Go

I don’t know where else I can reply but here. What the players are talking about greed of the owners not wanting to share, what did the players ever do to build these places they play in and the parking lots to get the fans there to see them?

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see the players are the greedy ones. They don’t care about the fans keep in mind what players like Charles Barkley did to the fans he loved so much.

This is really a sign of greed of the players, not the owners. Let the players go to another country and play we will watch it here.

Good Luck, but before you go why don’t you players show you are really are the role models you wanted to be when you signed those contracts before you knew how much money you could try to scam out of the owners and the fans. Do we have to really believe Sir Charles, oh I am sorry, I mean Charles Barkley, who once said he never wanted to be a role model.

Every time you players do something like this you’re hurting the fans because they will have to pay more to see YOU play, pay more to park, and pay more at the concessions to drink or eat. There will be a time when that will end. Should it be now or the next time, because you will do it again. You have already demonstrated you will do it again. How many times now have you done this, five or six? You just want more. That is what you call greed.

GOOD LUCK JUST STOP AND THINK!

— Dave Sanman

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I Was A Celtics Fan For Life

Losing trust in the NBA. I don’t know the details but will not have my son disappointed, no way!

— Steve Poulin

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Couldn’t Hold It In Any Longer

Usually I am a NBA fan that doesn’t speak out publicly. I don’t go around writing blogs on how great I think the NBA is, I don’t go and post troll comments on the internet about how much I hate certain players, or what I think of certain teams in the league in general. What I can say that I am, though, is a hardcore NBA fan. When it’s offseason, I’m following players that I hope will eventually grow to become the next superstars. During season, I’m following the record of the Lakers very closely and seeing if they can pull off another championship. I’m the person that is by far the most knowledgeable about the NBA in my group of friends — when they need someone to talk to about the NBA, I’ve got the stats behind the players; I’ve got the trademark moves, and I’ve even been picking up on some of the plays that teams run from time to time.

Yet, right now, the events that have happened over the last month or so have really hit hard. Yes, I understand that there is considerable frustration among the owners, especially when we’re talking about such large sums of money. But because of the way that they’ve gone about things, I’m really starting to doubt whether the NBA will have a season at all this year, which is obviously annoying. But, for the first time in my life I have reconsidered as to whether I actually wish to continue following the NBA.

I have not followed the NBA for my entire life. Many people found it quite odd that when I played basketball in high school, even though I was one of the top players, I had no idea who Kobe Bryant and T-Mac were (back in the day). I only knew of a man called Michael Jordan, but didn’t realise his insane gift and hard work that he displayed for the game; his pure passion for the game.

It took a long time to find out who the greats of the game were, and a lot of You Tube-ing to make sure that I knew just how great some of the past players were (and I can still say that after all of this time I can’t fully appreciate them, which is a sad thing!). Yet, in all of my time following the NBA I never thought that this would be what it was all about; the owners and players unable to agree on a figure that makes them both happy.

I do agree that the NBA needs to be rebalanced, as there are many teams that find themselves without a winning record year-in, year-out. A team like Sacramento comes to mind; when I started following the NBA, that was the era when Chris Webber and Mike Bibby were ripping it up and they found themselves playing at the top of the Western Conference. Ray Allen was still in Seattle and Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were nowhere to be seen yet, and the NBA had yet to hear of the man known as LeBron James. But, even when we look at the league, we had some damn exciting matches. The Lakers-Mavs series is one that comes to mind, and the annual Lakers-Spurs series back then was nothing short of incredible. Unfortunately I can’t speak for the Eastern Conference because I hated all the teams there when I started watching basketball, but as I’ve grown from a young fan to an experienced fan, this level of excitement is most certainly still there. In fact, withouta doubt last season was the most exciting season across all teams that reached the playoffs. All the teams that made it were competitive and there was a huge level of grit and determination shown in the lower teams.

The Grizzlies were a team that I wrote off in the first round of the playoffs. In their first-round matchup against the Spurs I was breathing a sigh of relief because I thought if they played the Lakers, they would give them a hard time. I didn’t expect them to take the Thunder to seven games in the conference semifinals. But in just these few examples, isn’t it clear that there are many teams that do have the potential to get out of their losing ways? Many teams are able to escape that “culture” of losing, and turn themselves into legitimate teams. It doesn’t happen immediately, but that’s not the point – the process takes years, and if you’re lucky, you get a couple of excellent picks, and you find yourselves in a great situation. Just looking at OKC over the last few years shows their progress, with coach Scott Brooks, KD and Westbrook, they suddenly transformed themselves from a team that I didn’t want to watch into one which I root for every time they come to the playoffs.

Let’s be clear here: each and every owner and player makes a lot of money. I find it difficult to believe that the owners would be arguing over the same split which has obviously kept many of them in the market for so many years. These negotiations haven’t been made in good faith, and the words that Chuck said earlier on NBA.com really rang true to me. How can the owners be so angry at losing money when they spend ridiculous amounts of money on terrible players? Not meaning to rip them, but like he said, Rashard Lewis is not worth that amount of money. I don’t even reckon he’s worth the starting spot on that team, yet they gave him money that could be better spent elsewhere. Another thing that I don’t appreciate is that players demand more money at times. What they should be thinking is how blessed they are to be playing in a league where the competition is unparalleled, where they have the opportunity for the entire world to see their talents. Money should be secondary; even the amounts earned from a bench player would be more than enough to take these players through life comfortably.

With the way things are going right now, I’m getting sick of checking whether the NBA season is going to be coming back at all. I’m tired of waiting for that excitement building up to the season, and if it actually does happen this year, it won’t be able to carry the wonderful momentum that it did from last year. One of the reasons why I’m so angry about this entire lockout is the fact that the owners didn’t bother to think about last season at all; it’s like they thought of this as an opportunity to attempt to get some money back, rather than realising that last years ratings were the highest ratings ever in the NBA. This lockout has damaged that momentum from last season, and should we see games, they will be overshadowed by the fact that this may happen again; that the owners are watching from where they hide, pulling strings to make sure the NBA is run in their way. The competition will be impeded by the fact that all of these actions that the players have on the court mean nothing if the owners decide it to be so.

It’s tough. It’s real tough trying to stay committed to the game. Yet, with bickering like this, I feel that the NBA has lost what it’s all about, and because of that, I don’t know whether I’ll be good to follow it anymore.

329 Comments

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I DON’T BELIEVE AN OWNER OF ANY BUSINESS WOULD LET THE EMPLOYEES RUN THE SHOW OR GET THE MAJORITY OF PROFITS.IF THE PLAYERS WANT MORE,THEN PERHAPS BECOME AN OWNER OF SOMETHING AND HOPE THEIR EMPLOYEES DONT GET GREEDY.AS FOR THE PLANTATION WORKER COMMENT,HOW MANY SLAVES WERE EVER PAID LITERALLY MILLIONS TO BOUNCE A BALL UP AND DOWN A COURT.SLAVES WORKED HARD AND WERE PAID NOTHING AS WELL BEING BEATEN FOR TRYING TO ESCAPE . TO HAVE A BLEEDING HEART FOR THESE GUYS WHO ARE NOTHING MORE THAN SPOILED GREEDY VANITY FILLED BRATS THAT NEED TO BE PUT IN CHECK IS LIKE BEING THE PARENT OF KIDS WHO GET THE RUN OF THE HOUSE.I MUST SAY THERE ARE SOME PLAYERS THAT DO EARN THEIR KEEP BUT TO ME THE MAJORITY ARE IN IT FOR THE PAY,THE ATTENTION,AND BRAGGING RIGHTS OF BEING NBA.I’M THINKING 40% FOR THE PLAYERS 50% FOR THE OWNERS AND 10% FOR THE FANS BOTH SIDES PROFESS TO LOVE AND APPRECIATE SO MUCH.LOWER TICKET,PARKING AND MERCHANDISE PRICES!(NEVER GONNA FLY.)THE FANS ARE THE POWER,AFTER ALL,IT’S ANY AMOUNT WE HAVE IN OUR POCKET THAT THEY WANT.OCCUPY THE NBA IS SOUNDING PRETTY GOOD RIGHT ABOUT NOW.

I am a fan I really believe that owners are treating the players as was said ” like plantation workers” they didn’t get paid either. The players are the product does anyone come to see the owners play heck no. If any of us the fans were in the players shoe would we still make these same comments? Probably not. The owners are greedy they want the players to go from receiving 57% to 47%. If fans boycott no one will benefit. By the way “my how the tables have turned” Micheal Jordan is the greediest of owners ever.

With so many people out of work and trying to provide for their families, the NBA was an outlet to take your mind off of your troubles. Now what do the fans do now? I’m quite sure that if you asked any fan to play for $100,000, guess what? They would. The bottom line is this: NBA-NBA PLAYERS= NO FANS AND NBA + NBA PLAYERS = FANS. YOU CAN’T HAVE ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER. WE ARE IN A RECESSION. NBA PLAYERS ARE NOT IN THAT POSITION UNLESS THEY ARE LIVING BEYOND THEIR MEANS. NBA PLAYERS, YOU ARE THE ELITE FEW WHO ARE “BLESSED” TO GET PAID MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR PLAYING BASKETBALL.. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LOVE OF THE GAME? THINK BACK TO THAT TIME WHEN YOU WOULD DO IT FOR FREE! IF SOMETHING HAPPENED AND THERE WAS NO NBA ANYMORE , WHAT WOULD YOU DO? WHAT OTHER JOB WILL PAY YOU WHAT YOU MAKE NOW? THINK ABOUT THAT!

I donk care if the NBA has a season anymore! I was hoping they would end the lockout, i have changed my mind!!!!!!!! I will watch and spend my money on college basketball now. they try harder and dont cry like spoiled babies. See ya never NBA.

We should lockout the nba by not going to the games. This the 2nd lockout and they didnt learn from the 1st one. I say we the fans should take a stand and show them we are not going to take this. Dont go to the games !!!!!!!!!!

Will not watch are go to game this year.What a shame my favorite sport.I would give my left nut to play for the league min. I wish i could tell my boss i have to make more than you.GET REAL I am so done with these guys.It will be college only for me from here on…

I’ve been following the NBA since 1985, with the same enthusiasm over the years. Players do earn a lot of money in any popular sport and till now none of us cared cause we just enjoyed the game.

In this economy, where thousands of people have lost their job or house or both, it is hard not to care. There is a huge pie to share for the owners and players but it billions don’t seem to enough for either side. the onlything they seem to agree on is to increase ticket prices to get the pie even bigger. Do you think any of them care how you make that money?

I hope it was all worth it. I have loved basketball and the NBA since I was born. I think after the strike of 1999 it took the NBA 5 or 6 years to recover if it ever did. And for it to happen again. This time. In this economy. It might be unrecoverable.

I could go on for days but whats the point? I will say this NBA owners and NBA players. Who pays your paychecks? Who pays for you to have million dollar contracts? Who pays for NBA owners to make millions? Who allows you to make millions and some billions from selling tickets , jerseys, popcorn, t.v. deals?

We the REAL NBA fans do. And you have shown that you totally do not care about any of us. So as bad as it hurts me to say I will no longer care to watch a NBA game for a LONG time. . . It may last a month it may last a year. I may comeback I may not.

What’s up NBA and Players. I’m sure by now you both know how we fans feel, but let me say this “I’m retired disability. The government is making all kind of noise about Medicare and Social Security. I’m on a fixed income and that’s it. Nothing else is coming in. I was wondering if you people every look around you and notice what’s happening in the world today. You know “Occupy Wall Street, banks using another fee to keep flat and greasy, gas prices up, up and up some more, Our boys and girls giving their lies for questionable reasons. I do love basketball. I do enjoy the whole scope of basketball from peewees to college to the pros. But I got to cover my bills this month. I don’t have extra income incoming. You fellows had better check yourselves before it’s to late. The world has a way of turning on greedy tyrannts. Ask Those idiots over in Iraq, Libya, etc., etc., etc. Count your blessings you will be held accountable for your actions.
(PS: Thanks if you really care)

Call the season.Owners and NBA take back the league,desolve the players union,lower ticket prices next year.The players that want to play basketball will come and play for their cump change of 5 million or have to look for a real job.

NBA.com always has a poll, a new one every day. How about a poll asking fans who they think should cave.
1. The owners deserve what they are asking for.
2. The players deserve what they’re asking for.
Come on NBA.com, I dare you.

Yes, let’s talk about that ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM….I realize a single, female, mother of three, isn’t the most common NBA fan. But, that’s me. I also happen to have a son who lives and breathes basketball. Now, I get to explain to him that Santa might come before our first Hawks game?!?! To the owners — in case you forgot, you PAID these players the salaries they are making. I’m not endorsing them, nor am I condoning some of the outrageous salaries. But, didn’t your mommas ever teach you about, ‘you make your bed….you lay in it’? To EVERYONE involved, stop treating the fans like idiots. I don’t need press conferences to explain to me what the lockout is about. Just play ball! Quit being so condescending to us, saying, “we are truly sorry for how this has affected the fans.” Really? Again, back to our values/morals/integrity…actions speak louder than words. And finally, last time I checked, the average US annual salary is less than $42K. LET ME REPEAT THAT — $42,000 per year — not per minute, or per half, or per game. THESE people are the ones making it possible for you all to “negotiate” over the millions. Don’t get me started on how pathetic it is that a player can’t sign an autograph for a kid after a game, or stop to give them a high-five. No one could pay $10 or $20M salaries, if the fans didn’t show up with their families, friends and co-workers. Lastly, I manage a budget for my home, which includes my 3 kids, a dog, school books, field trips, summer camps, teacher gifts, uniforms, lunches, t-shirts, etc. And you can’t make money/profit off the NBA?!?! Anyone thought about calling Clark Howard? Wait, better yet, what is Stern’s annual salary? If the owners can stand by their statements of losing money….then, I want MY money back for every $8 hot dog, $50 jersey, $30 ball cap, $25 mini ball, $15 pom pom, and $10 pair of socks we’ve purchased! I can find much better deals at Costco.

Seriously? Why don’t we take 75% of the money and use it to pay police officers, fireman and teachers, 5% to increase the salaries of the women of the WNBA who play the game with heart and the rest can be split between the spoiled players and owners. I’m sick to dath of hearing about this ridiculous greed on both sides of this arguement.

It is really a greedy thing. If I am an owner who invested 500 or 600 million dollars, I ll be dammed if I going to le my employees dictate how much profit they get from my investment. Ask them how much money did they invest in my business?, Sure they have basketball talent, there is no denying that, however we the UNEMPLOYED have difficulty siding with the overpaid athletes who most of the time just show up to pick up their paycheck (Andrew Bynum for one) and provide no contribution to the community buthe who take two handicap parking spaces. Overpaid and undereducated, and they want more money, most of these guys are NOT worth their salaries, I would love to see them laying bricks, paving streets on a hot day, repairing electrict lines on a rainy day for jus a $18.00 an hour salary. There nothing more than a bunch of overpaid primadonas with hardly any intellect at all, as far as I am concerned they can cancel the whole season.

One more thing: I have five kids who are NBA fans. They usually get tons of licensed stuff for Christmas. Not this year. So less money on products too. Here’s some more rope. Go hang yourself. The stupidity is unbelievable.

I went to some L.A. Lakers banquets in the 80’s when I was in college. I was a huge fan back then, but all I can remember is how the players acted like they didn’t want to be there. They were totally distant from the fans and did everything they could to avoid any direct contact. I got a totally different vibe from NFL and MLB players. They at least acted like they appreciated the fans. So, what is it about the NBA? Go ahead and stiff the fans. Ruin the season. Our season. The league is nothing without the fans. Play to empty arenas. How stupid are you? The economy sucks. You want people to spend their dwindling supply of disposable income to see you bunch of greedy crybabies? Good luck with that! Read the posts. The fans are angry. When you finally get around to coming back to work, we will punish you for your arrogant, elitist attitudes. This is the dumbest thing you could have done. We won’t forget. I am going to boycot you and urge everyone I know to do the same. Screw you!!!!

i think owner should start the season with only player who want to play. Play with the old rules and so on. If there’s no current player want to play, it is okay, I think a lot of talents still waiting their chance to play in the NBA. They are maybe hoping that some of current player will leave NBA and they may get opportunity to play. The player is not irreplaceable. The NBA does. If players like James and Wade want to play outside, please go. NBA will find another talents. However, Salary cap should be adjusted with inflation to keep business healthy and player also get salary increase.

As a 57yo white male, it was tough to follow the direction of the NBA the last 8 to 10 years. Now don’t get me wrong, this is no racist remark, but the NBA has marketed away from guys like me and that’s a fact…so at this point, I’m totally done. It was hard to watch an NBA game because hardly anyone put out any effort until the last 10 – 15 minutes of the game. Players walking the ball up court and playing a stagnant one-on-one, isolation style of ball is BORING! What happened to ‘team ball’? If a coach comes in and harps & preaches a team oriented style of play…the players run him out of town…”IT’S TOO HARD TO PLAY DEFENSE AND RUN AROUND SETTING PICKS AND SETTING UP PLAYS THE COACH DREW UP!”
You guys can argue until you all drop…take 10 years for all I care. Bye Bye NBA…

I hope the TV Networks are listening to the fans…watch those TV contracts shrink now!! LOL! Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! Both sides will get what they deserve…what goes around, comes around!

How many customers left Netflix? Same thing can happen to the NBA! 50/50 split lower seat prices. Players who have real talent will get $$$ via endorsements. Avg. Players should accept the salaries dependent of their skills. I know its business but C’mon its the fans who pay for incomes of both players and owners!

As a Bobcats fan for as long as i remember, ive been there for the good and the bad; Mostly bad. I went to the first ever playoff game at Time Warner Cable Arena. I miss basketball so i gotta say this. THEY NEED TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a Raptors fan since 2001, I’ve seen some great and horrible moments from the team. However, I’m really tempted to write the league off for good. It’s obvious that BOTH sides are greedy and care nothing for us fans or they would have already settled. If they cancel more games, then the league should be PERMANENTLY TERMINATED! Sorry to sound harsh, but we must see results. That’s all, and you have a good night.

I have been watching and following the NBA closely since my early days in Eastern Europe, before NBA even advertised games in that part of the world and before NBA “became global,” as they like to say. I have been a loyal fan of the NBA for the last 18 years, purchasing merchandise, NBA related video games (annually), watching and paying for NBA TV annually, and closely following playoff games.

I have to say that I am deeply discouraged by the present arrangement of things. How can you walk out of the room after 30 hours of negotiations and still not get the deal done??? It is absurd to think that it is the players’ talent that drives the business. If it wasn’t for fans and their financial investments, there would be no NBA and no revenue. PLAYERS, without fans, your talents are not worth a damn thing. I am a fan of basketball, firsthand, and ONLY then of NBA and its stars. I could just as easily go and watch a high school game for free. I CHOOSE to support the NBA because of personal appreciation for certain teams and players. PLAYERS, you forget that it is the fans that make you who you are, when it comes to your recognition and fame. So get some character, find gratitude in yourselves for your rather privileged position in life, and please sign the deal. Otherwise, you are risking to lose not only money, but the respect and the recognition of many fans, who CHOOSE to give you their support. Nobody owes you anything, just remember that.

Its sad that Fisher’s main argument is that he is worried about the players financial situation after they retire. My question is why dont these millionaires invest their money, save some of it, create a 401k for their retirement. Maybe the NBA should create a program to require all NBA players to put 4% of their paycheck into a 401K in order to save themselves from their own stupidity. These players retire when they are 35-40 years old. Average americans don’t get to retire until they are in their 60s. Are you telling me that these multi-millionaires can’t have financial security after they retire but a person who makes 40,000 a year can somehow manage to retire and be financially stable. I am also sick of hearing all the negative backlash on David Stern who is the reason these players are making as much as they do yet they all stab him in the back because he is trying to save a league during a very hard economic period.

I will still be there when the season comes back but most likely will be less excited and will definitely not go to ANY games. Prices will most likely skyrocket this next season because of all this GREED.

I can truly say that I understand both sides point of view, but true business men shoould be able to come to a resolution by now, if not for them, at least for the fans. Neither sides cares how this affects true NBA fans such as myself. I’m not a fan of football, but I’d rather begin watching the NFL than to keep holding on to hopes of watching the NBA. Finally my team (The Bulls) has made a come back only to be seperated by this lock out. I am completelty turned off by the NBA right now, and I careless what happenes at this point.

NBA: Held Hostage by Small Market Owners and Owners that are in Financial Turmoil?

Hear me out here. NBA Teams Owners, especially the Big Market Team, that have been very successful in the past 5 years are actually wanted to sign a deal.

I think its better to start the season with just 10 highly competitive teams than bowing out to those cry baby owners that actually so wealthy themselves that does not actually need NBA at this point of their lives that holding NBA hostage from their own personal egoistic interest.

if they are not making a profit, please close their stores. if they are not profiting, then sell their company. the players are the commodity. If owners have made a bad business decision of getting your your commodity with all the add on cost hard to sell and making you lose money over it, do you blame the commodity or your bad business decision.

Now, owners who are losing money because of bad decision, are holding hostage the entire NBA season and more season to come because they cry that its everybody’s fault?

well, who’s fault is it actually that you made a bad decision? the players? the fans? the owners who made a good profit?

It is so sad that they would put $ over the fans who pay for all the perks. Ticket prices and merchandise ect. is not worth the price of losing fans and hurting the franchise. Remember the baseball strike? Get over yourselfs settle and play ball. The fans will remember. I think they are all over payed spoiled brats, owners included. I love basketball and already miss the preseason and the regular season is effcted too.

I need a team to believe in. I want the sport to put away it’s greed and play for the love. I understand it’s a business. But seriously. Your fan base is what gives you money, not to mention TV contracts. Neither will be giving any money to the organizations if there is no season. I love my Bulls. I want to get excited for basketball again!

This is a dam shame these idiot hijacking the people that watch the nba i hope they all go broke the owners the players.
the owners and the players have put the game out of reach for the average pearson to go to watch 50.00 + to get in
and another 20.00 for parking another 10.00 for two cokes or pepsis 12.00 for two hotdogs.
They have priced me out of the games and have so dam many commercials you can even watch it on tv
\THANKS FOR NOTHING + YOU CAN`T EVEN GET A PLAYER TO SIGN A AUOGRAPH

NBA…I have a solution ! How about you take that extra money that you are fight over, lower the ballgame prices, concession prices, t-shirt prices and all the other extras so that you come out even and there is no extra to negotiate with. Then that will allow all of us WORKING PEOPLE, WHO GET NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT YOU ALL GET and who pay everyones salary anyway to be able to afford to go to all of these games and enjoy ourselves without feeling guilty that we are spending the money for such a luxury !

It is sad that we as the public, have to look at things like this. As some have stated earlier the players and the owners have and make more money that most people do in there life time, they have the kind of life styles that most people can only imagine. I know its business and maybe the players think they deserve more as do the owners, but each of them are supported by the public. Personally I think professional sports have gone to the way of idol worship, because we put these people on a pedestal, yet, we shouldn’t at the same time be surprised at the action of the players or the owners, both are selfish and self serving. If the season is cancelled, so what, life will go on for those of us who don’t have such priveledged lives, we live for things other than sports, maybe now families will spend more time with each, rather than watching someone shoot or throw a ball.

I’m not as aware of the deal that’s being offered and the reason it’s not good enough. But, I just want to see some ball. Now that the WNBA season is over, I have no real (elite) competition to watch. I love Basketball… at it’s best. College is cool (Go Lady Huskies!!! and Rutgers Men’s team!!!) but I love the NBA. Sure these guys are over paid compared to people with “regular” jobs (jobs that help society prosper), but it does drive me to watch basketball for the competition. If major money is being made, then the players who are great enough to play at that level should get a lot of that profit…say 35% to owners (less of them) and 50% to players (more of them). Fact: Every player doesn’t receive as much as the franchise guys. So, they should be compensated.

The other 15% (I agree with others) should go to community stuff that really matter. Since the good people of the NBA care so much…We are in a recession!

However, while I’m on the subject, every franchise player shouldn’t have a shoe or show or whatever else. They should make the money from the NBA and leave it at that. MJ paid his dues and continued to pay his dues when he really started to expand. Sure guys have endorsements, but this whole idea of every celebrity or athlete being a brand is crazy. It’s the entire system. Why should half these people get fame and riches before (or without) even doing anything. Everybody can’t do everything! People say college ball is so pure, but really it’s no better. Half those guys, just like high school, play their best in hopes of going to the NBA to make millions and gain fame. It’s our society that’s the real problem. If anything, in terms of basketball, street ball and pick up games are the most pure…well that and the women’s league.

Think about your job and any inequities might that exist. What if you and your fellow workers/employees were trying to get a better, fairer deal from management and/or the owners? How would you feel if the clients who bought your product or services wanted to pressure you to cave and set a precedent for less equitable working conditions and/or pay than you had been getting just so they could have their Big Mac’s or carpets cleaned or whatever? While the fans are the ones who are fundamentally paying the bill, does that mean they have the right to dictate terms and conditions to the league or the players? Some might think so, but I don’t. I believe if you’re a True fan you’ve got to be on the side of what works best for basketball, whichever side you favor. I think certain fans need to get over their adolescent self-centeredness and think of what’s best for the game. Just my humble opinion…

Unions are ruining this country in all aspects, I think that the owners should get away from the union and independantly hire the players to play. Have you ever seen the movie (Replacements) I guarentee that most of the current players would sign on and play eventually until then recruite and replace them bastards. noone is ereplacable!

I already said the reason we are in a lockout is because Miami Heat did not win the finals. Lebron said it best:

At the end of the day, he is rich and you are still living paycheck to paycheck with your own issues. Even if there is a lockout, half the league can afford not to play or work for a year or two. It is easy to be prepared not to work when you can afford it. How many of us can afford not to work for even a month?

To the Players of the NBA, GET BACK TO WORK AND PLAY SOME BALL! Money has become more important than the thrill of the sport! I know the troops overseas wanna see some ball on TV. Thank God for College! They put there heart in the game! I think the Pros have forgotten the true meaning of being a team player! Not everyone can take off work for a year to complain that they dont make enough. That tells us right there that you make enough money….Is that you can afford too.

Why do we continue to line the pockets of these greedy people. I have been a fan of the NBA for over 30 years. The economy is still in a tail spin and the players are still getting a rediculus amount of money foe playing a game. It is time for the owners and the players to take a pay cut. Everything about the NBA needs to be overhauled. Lower ticket prices, lower parking prices, lower costs to the fans.

As a fan of a small market team I am holding steady that the system must change, even if it means we lose the season. The Pacers (my team), Kings, Bucks, etc cannot fairly compete for a title and make money without a new system, which includes a 50/50 split and a hard cap. If not a hard cap than bigger tax system for going over.

Here is an example: the Pacers want to resign Player A but the Bulls want him. The Pacers, trying to run a smart business, offers him a 4 year 40 million dollar contract (10 million a year). The Bulls, having more revenue, offers 48 million a year over 4 year (12 a year). If the Pacers go higher they run the real risk of losing money and not having enough to get more talent.

This is the same for all small market teams. All of you who are upset because you believe it is all about money…Welcome to America. This is a business and if the playing field is not level than it is an unfair business.

It seems odd that no one is blaming the unions for this lockout. I blame the unions more for this problem than the players. They are the ones who hold the keys to what the players are paid and thus what they get in dues. I remember when I first started watching NBA basketball about 15 years ago, very few of the players were making over 1 million per year. They all seemed to enjoy the game and there were some mighty good players out there. The owners have to pay for the buildings, the upkeep of the buildings, the coaches, and numerous others who are essential to the game of basketball. Come on guys, let the players play their game and the fans watch!

I BLAME THE UNIONS THAT REPRESENT THE PLAYERS, DEAR LADY. THERE SHOULD BE NOBODY HOLDING THE OWNERS’ FEET TO THE FIRE WITH REGARD TO HOW MUCH MONEY THE PLAYERS MAKE. As for the fans themselves, THEY ARE THE ONES WHO SHOULD SAY “NO MORE!” They’re the one who should stop paying through the nose for NBA game tickets or overpriced concessions and/or merchandise at the arenas where the teams play. IT IS THE PLAYERS WHO SHOULD GET ONE-YEAR CONTRACTS and at $100,000 AND NO MORE and be told by the owners to “TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT!” And it doesn’t matter how short their careers are, they should be made to work for peanuts or get a job paying minimum wage.

Note to players and owners: Newsflash! Everyone is struggling in this economy!

We would hate to see you lose the chance for you to continue to stack milliions on top of your other millions. I barely have enough to pay for cable to even watch you play. You guys look kind of selfish and I am not understanding your explanations for this. Get a grip!

If owners do care, why can they put on the table what the current system will be?

Here are thing that need to be discuss:

Contracts with players that don’t deliver (Performance): Yao Ming, Gilbert Arenas, Greg Oden. What about: what if? such as Grant Hill. He started to be a bad contract and now he is playing his best basketball ever.

What about luxury tax? What’s the cap for a team before luxury tax? What about administrative payroll caps and bonuses?

It is understandable other teams want to be profitable. But hypothetically, if Chris Paul and Dwight Howard are to play in Sacramento, would people show up?

There is more to it than meets the eye. Some of the people commenting here are just fake and ignorant. They have no idea what it takes to compromise. Players are made by the fans. Owners are not. Players live through their fans love. Owners live through their fans pockets and check books. Teams make profits, but they can’t without their players. And players can’t do it without their fans. It’s just the way it is.

I have been a fan of the NBA for 15 year faithfully the past 5 years. With the economy the way it is why would the players want these huge contracts. I watch basketball because it is entertaining and you forget about the economy. If this lockout keeps going on NBA will be lucky if they can get their fans back with last year being one of the best years for them. I also would like to see Steve Nash and Jason Kidd play again before they retire. So come on owners and players get to an agreement fast.

This lockout is so ridiculous. I am a huge fan of the NBA. My team-Wizards. I am very disappointed that all these greedy so call men are arguing over millions, when we fans don’t make any where in the neighborhood of there salaries, endorsements, commercials, etc. The owners and players need to remember that without the fans there will not be any monies to go out. Just think of all the fans that have more education than these a*********, and don’t make nearly there salaries. Even the fans with high risk jobs like police, teachers, healthcare professionals, military personnel don’t make these ridiculous salaries, but stay true the sport. I have become an avid baseball fan now and will not watch, wear, or talk about basketball. Even if an agreement is reached, you lost a true fan. Forget you all.

I DON’T CARE HOW SHORT THE PLAYERS’ CAREERS ARE! There are people who are in jeopardy of LOSING THEIR JOBS BECAUSE OF THE GREED OF THE PLAYERS AND OWNERS! And maybe losing more than that!IT’S RIGHT TO MAKE THE PLAYERS WORK FOR SOMETHING THEY BELIEVE IS 100% WRONG BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON THERE BEING NBA GAMES BEING PLAYED IN ORDER TO SURVIVE! Please join with me, fellow posters, and suggest ways for those who are mad at the players and owners because of the lockout to find activities they can spend money on that will benefit themselves and others at the same time!

People are getting laid off, losing their homes and having a hard time feeding their families because food prices have gotten down right ridiculous and you NBA players and owners are squabbling over how to divide billions of dollars!!! I am a sports fan, NBA, NFL, MLB, and for the last 4 years, NHL. I have a son who plays hockey and wants to play for the NHL some day. Not many black children are given an opportunity to play such a sport because of the cost. You should be ashamed of yourselves. I am a day care teacher whose salary is considered at or near the poverty level. You get millions to play while I get a few thousand fir working. Shame on you!!!!

I am a daycare teacher. The money I make doing what I love is ridiculously low. I know my work contributes a positive impact on society

It is the owners and players that dont give a darm about the fans and all the workers that depend on them to survive. Think about the fans and workers and stop being so greedy. You have lost a fan who will never watch the NBA again.

I don’t understand why anyone would be upset with the owners at this stage of the game. THE CURRENT SYSTEM IS BROKE!!!! And at least they are smart enough to realize that and they want to FIX IT!

The small market owners are trying to be competitive so that they will have a good product for the fans in THEIR city. Why as a fan would I not want to have a chance to have a competitive team? Why in the world shouldn’t there be a salary cap? I, and I am sure 95%, if not more of the fans, can not understand what more a person can do with $50 million that he can’t do with $20 million. It’s absurd. The current salaries are obscene!!!

Again, the owners do care and are trying to look out for us fans. No way should they cave in to the demands of these greedy players. I don’t understand why anyone would go to these “charity” games. If I was in a city the players were having one, I would be boycotting it. Do the players even care about all the working people that are out of jobs now while they are trying to get more money? This could even cost families their homes in this current economy. Not to mention cities that are losing more money on tax income.

I wish some of the current players, as it seems former players now what is right, would just wake up and say, “You know what, I am getting paid very well now for doing what I love. 50/50 is more than fair. I can live with a hard cap (but not sure if my agent can). Let’s play basketball!”

I’m not totally up on the 50/50 split, but what I would like to see is a 47/47/6 split. 47% going to the owners, 47% going to the players and 6% going back to the current season ticket holders as a price reduction on the following season.

What do you think of that????

The NBA players really do care – BUT ITS ABOUT THEMSELVES NOT THE FANS!!!!

I agree with everybody who says the FANS need some relief for a change. Well, my friends, here’s the way to get that relief. BOYCOTT THE NBA and form sports or exercise groups in your own neighborhoods and communities. When you’ve begun to form these groups I’ve suggested and gotten a commitment from about 60 people to participate, CONTACT the NBA and tell them they’ve lost about 60 or so FANS WHO WILL NO LONGER PAY THROUGH THE NOSE FOR NBA GAME TICKETS OR MERCHANDISE! Then do the same the beginning of EVERY NBA SEASON UNTIL ABOUT 6 NBA FRANCHISES BITE THE DUST!

I have been a faithful season ticket holder of the Lakers for approx 25 years. I have never been so dissappointed in what I consider the best sport. I can’t even imagine a season without basketball, but it certainly looks like I may have to. Owners and players have let pure greed rule their rational thinking. I am a true fan and will never give up the sport, but that has no bearing on the disgust I hold right now for all involved with basketball. Do they think this is Rocket Science, does walking out on talks help settle anything. Come on and be grown ups here. I for one, want my basket ball season to start ASAP. Who made the players King and who made the owners Kings. Without a fan base they are nothing!

White rich owners want a system change and the proper revenue split to fill their need to make a 30 team competitve leage. Understandable, they want more control but the players wont give in to their demands solely because it will limit their free agancy movement and money recieved via contracts. Is this a bad thing? No its not but the nba does not want ot see a Bucks and Kings finals its just ont going to happen, the money is not there. The nba loves the Miami Heat but the owners dont and they want their piece of the pie, Iif teams like the heat are going to exist. A owner wants that money generated by the leage therefore a 57 43 split because the tv rating wont come from “small markets” so the difference has to be made up, a new owners favored BRI. The owners are firm in their stance and left the table for good it seems

Look- i have been a basketball (lakers) fan for over 30 years. I use to be a great baseball fan too, until back in the 90’s when there was a big lockout and the same discussion about money. Well guess what..i have never been back to a baseball game or have i watched one on tv. So guess what NBA..keep doing what you greedy people do…and i will boycott your league just like i did baseball.. heck..you think the only sport is basketball!!!!

I agree D-Satisfied. I think I am going to go full steam for the NCAA Basketball season this year. Not much chance of them fighting to the point of a lockout over greed right! And a lot less political.

I am just about at my breaking point following the antics of both Owners and Players in this lockout. I have been a huge NBA fan for almost 30 years now. I follow and support the Timberwolves for pete sake!. If that is not being a true fan in the NBA (with their record the past few years) I dont know what is.
The level of greed and selfishness among these extremely overpaid people is astonishing! Unless you are curing Cancer or creating World Peace…you are not worth the kind of money you make! Be glad you are being overpaid on both sides and shut up.
I use to be a MLB fan, that is, until the 1994-1995 strike. I have not watched a MLB game since that time due to the greed on both sides. It simply ruined the fun of the game for me. THAT is where I am at right now with the NBA. Without the support of the NBA “FANS”, neither Players nor Owners will make money. That is the simple fact of the matter and they both seem to ignore the ones who make their overpaid salaries possible!

See, I blame the owners. It is not right to blame the players. Although, the players made the lockout, I would have done it too. A wise person would not accept a contract without first reading the stipulations, and if anything is shady, it needs to be addresses before even attempting to sign.
This is why the economy is the way it is. Everyone started to give everyone loans, credit cards, etc, without doing some basic fundamental checking.
The players are doing what they should be doing. Players will agree to a 50/50 split, but we want to know what kind of system the NBA is running. The problem is not the players agreeing to a 50/50, it’s that the owners don’t want to let players know what kind of system they are going to be playing. That’s shady to me. You all saw the last season; it was horribly called by the referees.
You could tell something was up. All the technical’s fouls, the fines, bad game calling by the referees, and then, players couldn’t even say a word. I mean ask Dwight Howard. He got hit the most, and he has to maintain his composure because the referee is blind or have it against him. Come on! I think that the players should take a deal where commissioner Davis Stern resigns, otherwise keep fighting. The game sucks because of the refereeing. I will not agree to nothing until something it’s changed.

I believe the fans can get this settled. I wish I knew a way to let the Owners and Players know that the fans are going to boycott NBA Basketball if they don’t settle NOW. Someone out there knows how to get Fans together and let the NBA know they are nothing without Fans. I love Professional Basketball but if this season does not start I will not be a fan after 30 years. When baseball went on strike I have not been a fan since.

We all saw the half empty arenas last season. The NBA players are kidding themselves with the idea that fans really care that much about them. We don’t. They are not that good anyway. The quality of play was better before Mr. Stern added 7 new teams and watered down the talent pool of the NBA while doubling ticket prices.

In this economy the players should take a 50% pay cut and be happy they even have a league to play in. Also, in order to save the players from themselves, the owners should only pay them half of their salary and put the rest in a retirement fund for them because 75% of all players are broke within 5 years of retirement.

I have been watching this drama unfold since the lockout happened on March 3. They’ve had plenty of time since the month of March to make a deal happen, but all that both sides have done in the last six months is waste valuably precious time and in the end have accomplished what? NOTHING! At the end of the day, both sides are not only hurting the fans, but they are also (whether they realize it or not) hurting themselves in the process-the problem is that both sides are just too greedy and too stupid to realize it, and on top of all of this, NBA Commissioner David Stern isn’t helping the situation not one iota. Bryant Gumbel was right; he is a major part of the problem, and he certainly isn’t a part of the solution. I was so looking forward to going to Orlando next year for the next All-Star weekend, but, I still have my heart set on going anyway whether the NBA gets it’s act together or not, I could care less one way, or the other. Besides, there’s so much to do in Orlando, it will be anything but boring. So why should the fact that the NBA can’t get it’s act together should it prevent me from going there anyway?

As, a NBA fan seriously from 1977 watching Julius Erving and the 76ers, then the greastest of ALL and my favorite; Michael Jordan and others play real basketball; I must say that I’m very upset that both sides can’t get it together to save the NBA Season. I agree with everyone that the NBA players are somewhat selfish and the NBA ( David Stern ) is somewhat selfish. The FANS are getting the raw end of the deal as well as every hard working employee who works at the NBA facilities. I would LOVE to see David Stern step down as the current NBA Commissioner and a NEW one be placed in his spot ASAP. I would love to see a former NBA player with style and grace become the NEW NBA Commissioner ( i.e. Michael Jordan, Julius Erving, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and or a Charles Barkley to just to name a few ) and who would have a better understand of the issues of negotiations, the money and a player relationship, due to them being past NBA players themselves.
EGO’s will always destroy a situation when it comes to individuals who won’t take the time to think about others ( i.e. the fans and employees of the NBA facilities ) while they destroy the 2011-2012 NBA Season. So may folks livelihood are being touch by the lockout: hard working people who depend on the NBA season to pay bills, keep a roof over he/she head, place food on the table and clothes on their backs. It’s pitiful and I support a “ BOYCOTT “ and the stepping down of David Stern because I truly feel he doesn’t give a “ DANG“ either way………….

To the employees ( the real folks behind and unseen in the NBA ) of the NBA facilities; I apologize and I’m praying that through the NBA Lockout; that GOD bring you all through until or if the NBA Lockout is lifted.

The owners are on strike. Not the players. They refuse to open their books. So nobody can see how many relatives and girlfriends they have on the payroll. How many parties they throw. What their expense accounts look like. How much they make from merchandise, concessions, in-arena advertising, television and radio deals, luxury boxes, luxury box concessions, tax breaks, real estate deals, non-basketball events (cheerleaders), you name it. These guys either are making a ton of money or they aren’t trying.

I make the equivalent of a large car payment for 5 months each year for season tickets to the OKC Thunder, who made me a fan of a game I wouldn’t walk across the street for before. It is stunning to me that with their salaries, the players still want more. I guess if the tickets and merchandise were reasonably priced, it wouldn’t hack me off so much. But I actually struggle to buy the tickets, not that any of the principals involved care.

I would like to know in what other type of industry the employees demand a percentage of the REVENUE? It wouldn’t be quite so ridiculous if it were profits. Yep. Killing the Golden Goose. You can check Forbes for the details, but it is correct that the majority of teams aren’t making money. If these guys want that much, then let them buy a team, take the chance the owners took.

In any event, they’ve already done irreparable harm. Most of these kids don’t remember what happened to baseball, but they should learn. I know people that after all this time still won’t watch an MLB game.

As, a NBA fan seriously from 1977 watching Julius Erving and the 76ers, then the greastest of ALL and my favorite; Michael Jordan and others play real basketball; I must say that I’m very upset that both sides can’t get it together to save the NBA Season. I agree with everyone that the NBA players are somewhat selfish and the NBA ( David Stern ) is somewhat selfish. The FANS are getting the raw end of the deal as well as every hard working employee who works at the NBA facilities. I would LOVE to see David Stern step down as the current NBA Commissioner and a NEW one be placed in his spot ASAP. I would love to see a former NBA player with style and grace become the NEW NBA Commissioner ( i.e. Michael Jordan, Julius Erving, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and or a Charles Barkley to just to name a few ) and who would have a better understand of the issues of negotiations, the money and a player relationship, due to them being past NBA players themselves.
EGO’s will always destroy a situation when it comes to individuals who won’t take the time to think about others ( i.e. the fans and employees of the NBA facilities ) while they destroy the 2011-2012 NBA Season. So may folks livelihood are being touch by the lockout: hard working people who depend on the NBA season to pay bills, keep a roof over he/she head, place food on the table and clothes on their backs. It’s pitiful and I support a “ BOYCOTT “ and the stepping down of David Stern because I truly feel he doesn’t give a “ DAMN “ either way………….

To the employees ( the real folks behind and unseen in the NBA ) of the NBA facilities; I apologize and I’m praying that through the NBA Lockout; that GOD bring you all through until or if the NBA Lockout is lifted.

I am very disappointed in the owners, they have shown a large amount of greed and stupidity. The owners ask for 6% on BRI, the players gave 3%. Now the way I see it, the owners are holding the NBA hostage if the players don’t give in to the remaining 3%. If you ask me the players have already done their part by meeting them half way. The owners want a guaranteed profit? In what business is any company guaranteed a profit? This is laughable! If you make bad business decision you lose money, and the company go downhill, very simple. You shouldn’t be rewarded for your failure. Owners paying players like Reshard Lewis or Joe Johnson the kind of salary is laughable too. If I were to start a car manufacturing company, can I try to compete against Honda, Toyota, Ford, BMW, etc. and ask for a guaranteed profit? Exactly! Of course they are going to make more money, be more successful compared to newer or smaller companies. Same thing goes for NBA teams too. So talk of balance between the teams is useless, there can never be balance.

players are selfish??? 1. owners are far richer than players are. 2. We the fans do pay the salalaries of players..AND owners TOO!! 3. Id bet without the help of google no one can even name 20 owners!! who turns on t.v’s to see owners who buys a jersey because theyre infactuated by the owners. Who signs these players oversized contracts??? the agreement is 57% and now because the OWners didnt handle their business – lets go shave it off the players contracts?? and this crap about the “organiztions” loosing money is not the players fault anyway. David Stern has us locked out! I have yet to see an owner say they’re giving up a cent!! they wanna stay in their private jets – eat their caviar & make money snoring while WE pay to see PLAYERS!! I know I do!! your lying if you say you wouldnt watch kobe dirk durant lebron or any of your favorite players play ANYWHERE!! this lock-out has been in plan for 2 years now and they keep lying to you by switching from “we want 50/50” to we want “all 30 teams to be compete for a championship” ….all 30 really? So i guess the nba was failing with magic’s lakers or bird’s celtics?? mike’s bulls?. or how about kobe and shaq? and what about this season’s love-hate relationship with “The decision” that skyrocketed the money. Nobody turned to espn to see what owners were up to! But alot of these comments bashing players comes from a place no one really wants to talk about. no one other than bryant gumbel, cuz he was dead on target with what he said

I think it is time we the fans stand together. We should boycott games. The arenas should be empty whenever the season does start. It is not like these guys are great players. This is not the Patrick, Jordan, Doc, Magic, Bird type of players here. They are not that good and are reaping more money than they really deserve. The owners should pull the 50/50 off the table and come back with 60/40 take it or leave it.

its crazy that we THE FANS who are way worst off than the owners and the players are the ones even putting money in their pockets and they are arguing over who gets the most. The majority of y’all are making MILLIONS of dollars , i have 10 dollars to my name and sometimes watching sports is the only thing i have to do. At the end of the day both sides will be rich , Most players are getting over paid to do something they have been doing their entire lives and owners were rich before they even became owners , so neither side should have anything to complain about. TOO busy thinking of themselves & not the ones who got them were they are practically , THE FANS. NBA CARES about THEMSELVES when it comes down to it. Every time Fisher speaks about they fans he says something about how the players are trying to get this done for the fans, REALLY ? i don’t think so , does anyone else ? I’ve been ready for the next basketball since the playoffs ended , so i beg the NBA and the players to stop being greedy and get a deal done so that i don’t have to burn down the staples center. – PISSED OFF LAKERS FAN.

We have been season ticket holders for over 20 years. Our entertainment budget for the year is our Spurs tickets. If my wife wasn’t such a die hard fan, I would not spend another dime on the NBA in any fashion.

The players (sic) are cry baby’s. Let them go back to the hood and sulk. They have no investment and want most of the profits. Do away with the union and draft new players to cross the picket lines. Get players that want to play because they love the game. Most people could work their entire life and not earn what the NBA average players salary is for one year. They are greedy and don’t care how this affects the peripheral employees in the industry. They and their families are hurting and under a lot of pressure because of the greed of these baby’s who think they are so good that they can’t be replaced. Go to Europe and stay there. Enough of their crap.

Sorry if I don’t feel sorry for the players representing the union. They are the highest paid and only represent them selves. I feel bad for the guys that are new, or old that support the the elite players. If it meant taking care of everyone them I would side with you. The Elite players keep everyone else salaries down just to have them there on the team. We stand together they say while going to other countries to play. Every time you get Hugh contract we pay as fans and so do your fellow players making less salary. I do think there should be a salary cap on the top players so that the other players would be paid more.

The owners are greedy? They risk everything, you risk what?

Injury….. you still get paid

Traded…… you still get paid

Yep….. really hard to relate to you guys at the top who want to keep this going. Its the supporting players, coaches, vendors, fans that get hurt by this strike. The owners put their money on the line to make money. What do you put on the line???? Only one teams wins the championship and all the other don’t. That means you get paid either way….. win…. or …. loose….

Sounds like win win for the players.

You guys should try running a business. I don’t mean getting endorsements, signing a contract, or getting paid to make an appearance. I mean borrowing money, dealing with employees, running a multimillion or billion dollar organization…. putting your own money on the line. You think its easy, your an owner and you make money. That is all there is to it huh?????

I have played basketball for years and years now, I have trained in gyms, lifted weights, traveled to games, organised teams and oh yeah….I PAID to play ball and do all those things! By the players standards, surely this could be seen as unfair, unethical and worth causing millions of people grief?

As a fan, I’m disgusted. Figure out that we pay you to throw a ball into a hoop. Figure out that the message you are sending to your fans is that we are last on your list of priorities. Figure out that you have done damage to the game, causing your fans to boycott the game. Figure out that people all over the world are forced to take pay cuts and lose their jobs. Most of all, figure out just how lucky you are.

Listen to the interviews. Listen to Charles Barkley and Regie Miller. Shame on the players union. They WANT the big players to leave the small markets. To them, it’s not about the game. Its about greed. Let them go play in Europe and see how much maney they can make….

I think I will switch back to football. I love basketball so I started season tickets, so now I’m screwed. This totally sux!! I don’t think I will be renewing next year. I can easily watch it on TV if I have too.

Personally both sides are equally greedy in my opinion.it’s been long enough for a conclusion to be drawn and still nothing.we the Fans need to show them who’s really in charge.because if we boycott the NBA,players will have to pay to watch themselves play and owners will have to pay to generate their own revenue.after it’s all said and done they both would have learned a valuable lesson.

It’s time for a new CBA. $5 million/year max. $200K min. 2 “franchise” players/team allowing $8 mill/year salaries for those 2 players. Players are not allowed to play for any other team (foreign, Olympic, etc) while under contract. Players are required to have a 4-year college degree to go under contract.

I’m tired of the soap-opera that the NBA has become. The current batch of stars are trying to clain that “they just wanna play” – take my proposed CBA and let them play. If the new CBA can get the salaries down to something approaching reasonable, maybe they’ll drop the ticket prices and make the game a little more affordable to the average joe. Knock down this Lottery of “oh – when I grow up, I’ll be a basketball star – so why do I need to study algebra?”

It’s time to get professional basketball under control and start playing the game instead of catering to a small group of game players.

I don’t know whose right or wrong, but it is clear to me that the lock out is damaging everyone. The teams, the players, the fans and most of all the ones depending on NBA related business.
As it goes, it seems like the Middle-East crisis is being debated, no solutions, no significant move forward, is everybody out of there minds? Even a short term deal could be a solution to make the game going… This is non-sense and probably will hurt the future of the NBA. Too bad basketball in Europe is far from the NBA level, but who knows in the future…
I’m starting to notice other sport and gaining interest in them, and I bet many are doing the same, as we are moving beyond the reasonable.
Even buying merchandise is hard, because you don’t know what “thing” you are wearing, Is this a team or just a regular shirt brand… Something about a game that once was played, but no more… Came on. GET ON WITH IT!!!

This lockout is killing the NBA, right now. Both owners and players have to understand that, WE THE FANS are getting sick and tired of just TALKING; We want a deal that will please all three side, not just the players union and the NBA owners. The owners need to stop being so selfish, and see that, their the ones whose really paying the price, without a season, their losing money, and losing fans. The player union have to understand that WE WANT BASKETBALL and to get it the have to make sacrifices, I’m not saying to take the 50/50 deal but to go one percent lower than 52.5%, go like 51.5% or 51%. I do have to agree the NBA does need a new SYSTEM, but at the same time, the need to fix this old one, we can’t have players whose making 10,000,000+ and whose value isn’t that much; trust me when I say there’s alot of NBA players whose making moeny there not suppose too. They NBA need a system for 3 types of players, Rookies, All-stars, and Veteran players. Rookie players shouldn’t make more than 6 Million a season nor should they make a total of 14 Million within a 4 year period. Then their are All-Star, are Players in their Prime, they should be making no more than 16 Million a season, and no more than 80 million over a 6 year deal. Finally their are Veterans players whose been in the legs for more 10 years, knows the game well, and have a background of being clutch in the fourth quarter, they should be make in between All-Star player type money and Rookie type money, they should me making at least 8 to 10.5 Million dollars, but here’s the thing we also have to factor in age as well. A 32 year old player of any position has AT LEAST 4 TO 5 years left in them, so you don’t want to give the Veterans no more then a 3 year deal worth no more than 40 Million over that 3 year expansion. For the Mid-level type players, there deal should be like the rookies, no more than 6 Million, and the deal should last about 3 years as well, so basically their making Rookie type money with a Veteran type deal.
For the Basketball Related Income, the player union have to understand that, teams are losing money, go down one more percent. For the Owners, why don’t you create your own type of system where the 8 teams that are making money why don’t you make them spilt that money with the other 22 teams, OR, if not that then, go over the Cap limit. For you to win a chamiponship you have to make sacrifices, go get certains players, lower your ticket prices, make your fans the #1 options, all the FANS WANT IS A DEAL THAT WILL MAKE THEM COME TO THE GAMES MORE, and superstars as well.

what should long term effects be of an eventual salary 50-50 split between owners and players? Thinking that best players will continue getting a large amount of it, the median salary will be definitely worse, probably leading some good players to migrate into the raising European teams. Say, in Europe, where I live, there is not (yet) an organisation which is as powerful, pervasive and organised as the NBA to bring in a serious competition, but I believe that if median salaries (what an average level player gets – not stars, but sometimes in the starting five) in the NBA become less attractive, the Euroleague system should start thinking how to make its competition more captivating in order to increase this migration effect of players from US coast to EU coast. Reputation and infrastructure stands for the NBA, but of course the impact of a long-term lockout could be stronger if in Europe basketball was prompt to take the challenge.

There is one sport where I agree the players should be getting more money. That is football. I’ve played football. I know how badly beaten and bruised the players are each week. The toll it takes on your body. When the NFL lockout was on the verge of happening, I was yelling the NFL owners were wrong. In the NBA and the NHL, where many teams do not operate in the green on a year to year basis. How dare the players want more money! The owners may be millionares or billionares, but there is a difference between your companies money and the owners money. The company has money to pay the personnel, including the players. The owner can not make money if the team is not making money. I am a huge Nets fan. I will be the first to admit they suck. The prices are too high, and the value of the game is too low. I do not care where they move. but if they still suck, it will not matter. no one will show up to watch the games. If i would be running a team i would rather have a full stadium/arena for an Average of $15 a night, than an empty one at $100. wouldnt you?

Both the players & the owners are greedy!! & have let ego destroy the game!

TO THE OWNERS:
IN NO WAY IS EVERY TEAM GONNA BE EQUAL. U HAVE SMALL MARKETS & U HAVE LARGE MARKETS. EVERY TEAM CAN COMPETE FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP WITH THE RIGHT MANAGEMENT AS WE HAVE SEEN THE SPURS WON A FEW TIMES OVER THE YEARS & THEY ARE A “SMALL MARKET TEAM”. OWNING AN NBA TEAM IS JUST LIKE RUNNING A BUSINESS & THE ONLY WAY U GONNA CAPITALIZE IS WITH THE RIGHT MANAGEMENT TEAMS. WE ALL KNOW THAT LARGER MARKET TEAMS DO HAVE MORE MONEY BUT IT LEADS RIGHT BACK TO MANAGEMENT! ILL USE THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS FOR EXAMPLE, IF CAVS OWNERS HAD GO OUT & GET SOME GOOD ROLE PLAYERS TO BUILD AROUND LEBRON JAMES THEY WOULD HAVE WON A CHAMPIONSHIP. SO ITS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT WHO HAS THE MOST MONEY TO GET STAR PLAYERS BUT WHO KNOWS THE RIGHT PLAYERS TO GO OUT AND GET TO COMPLIMENT THERE SUPERSTAR PLAYER!

TO THE PLAYERS:

PUT EGO ASIDE. ITS NOT WORTH LOOSING A SEASON OVER A FEW % AND A HARD SALERY CAP. AT THE END OF THE DAY IF YOU LOOSE THE ENTIRE SEASON THE OWNERS ARE GONNA GET THEIR WAY NEXT SEASON & I DONT KNO IF THE PLAYERS SEE THAT THE OWNERS REALLY DONT CARE IF THEY LOOSE THE ENTIRE SEASON JUST TO HAVE THEIR WAY. PLAYERS YOU OWE IT TO THE FANS TO JUST SWALLOW YOUR PRIDES & ACCEPT A DEAL. IF THE LOCK OUT CONTINUES ANY LONGER THE FANS ARE GONNA GO AWAY. PUT IT THIS WAY THE AVERAGE NBA PLAYER MAKES 5MIL & UP, SUPERSTARS MAKE BETWEEN 12-25MIL + ENDORSEMENTS. AND THATS IN ONE SEASON, THE AVERAGE PERSON WOULD BE LUCKY TO MAKE THAT IN A LIFETIME SO JUST FORGET ABOUT THESE GREEDY MULTI MILLIONAIRE OWNERS AND DO THIS FOR THE FANS THE SPEND THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY TO BUY TICKETS AND NBA GEARS EACH SEASON. NO MATTER WHAT THE OWNERS DO WE KNOW THE TEAMS THAT WILL COMPLETE FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS………. SAVE THE GAME!!!

I don’t care what happens between players and coaches, I just want to watch basketball again! That’s all that matters, being able to watch basketball is the most important aspect of finishing these deals!! The fans are who support these players and teams the most, so make us happy and bring back the game we love!!!

HOW ABOUT PLAYING BASKETBALL INSTEAD? Believe me, you’ll enjoy that even more. I strongly recommend some sort of activity for all of you who are complaining about how the lockout(believe me, I don’t like it either) is taking away your enjoyment of basketball.To those of you who say high school and college basketball is boring to watch:the people playing it won’t quit on you or go out on strike. I AGREE WITH THOSE WHO SAY A BOYCOTT WILL REALLY GET THEIR ATTENTION. LET’S HOPE IT DOES!

I think it’s funny that they are arguing over money they recieve from the people they are depriving their product. I do respect the NFL for putting the fans first and settling their differences. It will be along time before I shell out money to go to another NBA game.

The owners have a right to make a profit. They have made an investment in the team…as such they are bearing the risk of a negative return; as such, they shoudl be rewarded for taking that risk; not hte players. They players should be awarded a salary ONLY, no profit sharing. The gusy are making millions of dollars playing basketball for gods sake. I have been a fan for 15 years…this episode has left a real awful taste in my mouth. I wonder if I will watch another nba game again.

We are very tired of this push for higher wealth mess, theses players are set for life, able to travel all over the world and provide for families with no problems. But when it comes to wanting fans to support you and we see what is happening today, you will not get my simpathy, its pathetic that this has been allowed to go on, but i promise you this, my thought of of buying a ticket, nor season ticket soon or in the future is over, i am sick of this mess. You have taken us for granted to long.

I say cancel the whole year – start over with the “D” League players – start new teams. There is much more talent to be watching for. Every time a player is traded, their comment is “It’s a business…” – YES! A BUSINESS! If you were not getting paid the millions in salary to play, I can understand all the whining, but really, millions to play basketball and then get greedy is truly disrespectful! If I was an owner I would be furious! Plus, not many of the players use that money for good, it is all just swindled and wasted away. That is not the message I want to see – so I am no longer in favor of the NBA with the current all star players. I sure love football and hockey now. Thanks for the memories – owners, stay strong!!

Nate, you might try reaching out to the people working in these arenas and letting them know that you stand with them in this difficult time. Suggest that they contact the city officials and tell them THERE WILL BE NO NEW SPORTS ARENAS FOR THOSE TEAMS THAT HAVE PUT THEIR JOBS IN JEOPARDY WITH THESE IDIOTIC WORK STOPPAGES!I AGREE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A BOYCOTT THAT LASTS ALMOST AS LONG AS THE CURRENT LOCKOUT EVEN IF THE PLAYERS AND OWNERS DO REACH AN AGREEMEN(IF THEY DON’T REACH ONE BY JANUARY 1, 2012)!

First of all, Players, we the fans wish we made the money you all make. Even the lowest paid player in the NBA some of us wish we made that much money. Second of all, Owners, slavery days are over with, if it was not for the fans paying those high price tickets and buying jerseys, filling your stadiums, watching the stations that carry the NBA games, THAT YOU ALL GET A PIECE OF THE PIE OF, you owners would not get any money either! Both players and owners, get your hand out of your butts and bring back our NBA games!!! Stop the BS!

You go, girl! Way to tell those greedy guys off! Try forming sports or exercise groups with your friends or patronizing a restaurant or two, that could really use your patronage. By all means BOYCOTT THE NBA! THAT IS THE ONLY WAY FOR FANS TO SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! I like your post, too, Gwendolyn, and I like your spirit in telling off those guys in the NBA and telling them that their stupid work stoppage is going to COST THEM PLENTY IF THEY DON’T STOP THE BS!

just reading through what people had to say on the blogs and the comments that people said, said exactly what i have to say. I was sooooo excited for the 2011-2012 NBA season. I was soo excited to watch my favorite team play, to watch my favorite player play, but now i cant. All I want is for the owners and players to come to an agreement and start the season. And soon.

I am so disappointed. I have tweeted several players – with no response. I even tweeted Eric Maynor who was at a mall the same time I was, and asked if he would speak to me to hear a fan’s pov – no response. I feel when ever there is a season, us fans should return the favor – no response. I would love to see a boycott of at least the first game where no one attends a single game thorugh out the league. Millions, in this country, make minimum wage and still go to work everyday. It seems really senseless to me. I think I’ll tell my boss I deserve more money than she makes & I’m not working until I get it, right before I time the unemployment line opens in the a.m.

Be careful, Kelli. I agree with what you are saying about the NBA. Please read my reply to Nik. A BOYCOTT of the NBA IS EXACTLY THE WAY THe FANS SHOULD RESPOND TO THIS WORK STOPPAGE AND ALL SUCH WORK STOPPAGES IN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS IN THE FUTURE! Please don’t do anything that will put your job in jeopardy. Just because professional athletes do stupid and suicidal things doesn’t mean the rest of us have to. I AGREE WITH YOU, THOUGH, ABOUT A BOYCOTT. While you’re boycotting the NBA, though, think of the people who will lose their jobs through no fault of their own because of the lockout. Patronize a sports bar or restaurant that is having trouble to show your support.

Done with Basetball and the Greed that has become a big part of it. NFL is keeping me happy and they were smart enough to end the lockout without cancelling games. Im good till the Superbowl but after that I looked forward to the All-Star weekend and Playoffs. But I dont care at all.. I will find something else to keep me entertained even if the NBA came back.

Good for you Nik. I hope that many other NBA fans will become CASUAL FANS WHO WILL FIND OTHER WAYS TO SPEND THEIR MONEY WHETHER THE NBA RESUMES PLAY OR NOT!May I suggest participating in sports and forming groups that get together for that purpose every week? That’s a good way to get exercise and spend your money on something that you can really enjoy. Don’t forget to patronize the restaurants, sports bars, etc., to let the people who run them know they are not alone.

Fans around the world are through with the NBA’s bull. Have a great time fighting over percentages. It doesn’t matter what % you agree on now, as a whole, the NBA’s income from the fans WILL BE GREATLY LOWER THAN EVER BEFORE. You heard it here first. You’ve shot yourselves in the foot. Good luck.

Fans who feel like they are being shut out should strike back at the the NBA with the only weapon available to them-THE BOYCOTT! They should for groups that will stimulate the economy by patronizing restaurants even if they DO NOT plan to attend an NBA game to show their support for the restaurant owners who are also being squeezed by the NBA players and owners.

This is just disgusting how tHe NBA could lock out die hard fans like myself. Honestly they are pushing away alot of people, dont worry about me I will continue to watch the game but for the many more who cannot believe this is going on I feel for you. This is Americas best and most exciting game, david stern needs to go somewhere because this is giving him a major black eye. I believe the owners should let the players get the 57% becauase at the end of the day its the players who make the show. Most of the fans thats complaining dont know any of the owners names but know all of the players names. Like I said its the players games they bring the fans in, the owners dOnt, THEY ARE BEHIND THE SCENES. WITHOUT THE PLAYERS THERE IS NO GAME SO GOHEAD N LET THE PLAYERS PLAY!

Yes David Stern SHOULD go somewhere;not because the lockout is giving HIM a black eye, but because HE is giving BASKETBALL a black eye as long as he continues to be Commissioner of Basketball.Under him the NBA sucks and will continue to suck until the day comes when the owners decide David Stern is BAD LUCK and is costing them money!

I think the owners are wrong here. And of course not all of them, but for them to not even attempt to negoiate after the players came down a whooping 4.5 percent! Thats crazy.. Not the real problem here isn’t the fans missing out on games for our entertainment/viewing, its the workers at the stadiums, and other basketball related venues. The same people that helped the owners bring in the money, and keep the facilities up to par for the fans and players alike. This isn’t fair to them, this is there lively hood.. that’s their income in jeopardy and with the ecomny the way it is now, Jobs are scares, and the job they thought they had, is now locked out becuase billionaires are fighting with millionaires.. some of these workers make about 24,000 a year! thats only 2,000 a month.. come on! Lets put this aside, play some ball, and stop worring about this.. People like Danny Granger from the Pacers see’s whats really the issue, and I thank him for taking the arena workers out for lunch as a way of saying thank you and im sorry this is going on.. Lets continue to play basketball while you guys work out the issues so the MIAMI HEAT can go head and win the championship!! Love the Heat, love basketball, wish i was taller and better so I could have made it to the NBA, but a las.. anywho, PLEASE AMERICA NEEDS BASKETBALL!!!!

JayKiss, I AGREE WITH YOU, A BOYCOTT IS DEFINITELY IN ORDER HERE. We should offer our fellow sports fans, however, an alternative to being sedentary spectators. If more fans would form sports groups or pick up basketball teams(or even volleyball teams) instead we’d all be the better for it. I agree with you, if the NBA season is lost for 2011-2012, we should make the PLAYERS AND OWNERS PAY BY BOYCOTTING THE NBA EVEN IF AN AGREEMENT IS REACHED(IF NO AGREEMENT IS REACHED BEFORE NEW YEAR’S DAY, JAN. 1, 2012)!

NBA is famous not only in US. And so the lockout. I’m a French fan of Knicks and I was so excited to follow my team this season… Unfortunatly, Billy Hunter and owners have decided to put their ego on the table! I’m bored with these so-called negotiations that give nothing. A few weeks ago I thought an agreement was possible. I have now the feeling that these guys are unable to have relevant and constructive talks. Please go for decertification and start the season!

It sounds like quite a few people are angry at the players.THAT’S GOOD. There are all kinds of options for the fans if there are NO NBA GAMES TO WATCH IF THE ENTIRE SEASON IS LOST. Forming sports or exercise groups is one I’d like to suggest. I’m in a group that gets together every Thursday evening to play basketball(or volleyball, for those who prefer volleyball). I enjoy it very much and have made several friends by doing so.

I love basketball, its the only place to find where amazing happens. the start of a new era, the rise of the best ratings and hype since Jordan, Magic, & Bird…. doesn’t that matter to anybody???? the owners and players should be ashamed that their total focus is on money when are economy is already very bad as it is plus both sides are rich shouldn’t the world have a lock out instead of the NBA come on be real guys. i’ve been growing up watching the game i love and its a shame the NBA has a lockout on the players…. i know a deal can happen, but these greedy as pathetic owners wont to control all the star players from leaving there small market city’s, so what!!!!! figure something out quick. or both sides will end up broke. then who is to blame???? u guys!!!! no season… is the last thing u wont. we the people wont NBA BACK!!!!!

I love the NBA and that is a sport I wait to watch. My whole family are into basketball and we played for many years but we never made it into the NBA. Now I am proud to say that I played the game and made my fans happy. I am glad I did not get into NBA.

Now I work full time and feed my family and meet all my family’s needs. And you guys still can manage to live with the millions of dollars you make. You spend it like pigs and you asking for more. I find the money to buy tickets and support you guys but now I think I and my family are gonna call the QUITS. Just think of it this way you greedy players, when you guys come into a stadium and you see no fans supporting you then how the @#$% would you feel. I say that no one should watch or buy or do anything that has to do with the NBA players. We should call a strike against the players and not support them. You greedy players should realize that without us fans you guys are just ordinary people.

To all the basketball players, you must have heard that 2011 MLB world series is the least watched show in USA now. Just think why and who has the power to do that and who is going to endorse you when we call the QUITS.

I’m Canadian and it’s already complicated enough to catch the NBA games when living in Quebec so when NBA TV came around imagine our joy and aslo addin more games on candian chanels!!! so we all get ready for the next season thinking meh…lock out, they will figure something out before the end of the summer…or before training camp… or before the first week of the season.. still crickets.
You have to wonder if it really would be that complicated making or getting less than millions of dollars for doing something you love or promotting something you love (talking about both owners and players here).. it’s hard to believe there is really any consideration not only for the fans but their families and all the other employees that are not players/owners and are affected by this. Of course we know that at some point in your many meetings you guys have to think about that but does it really stop you from thinking about the towel kids, the water boys, the cleanup dude, the ball people, the cheerleaders, the mascots, heck,.. everybody other than yourselves who are not making that money? Pf course we don’t know they might be compensated in a way (I sure hope so) but you’re disappointing everyone.. It really is a shame.. Hard to think that some people are living with less than $100 000/ year and doing just fine.
This is just selfish.

What are those people bragging about? I don’t get how those two parties can be so greedy and, frankly, antisocial. I recently looked up some numbers about annual household income in the U.S. (I’m not from the U.S. but that’s not important to the matter)
Let’s take the top-of-the-key player Kobe Bryant as an example here: He approximately (at least I found that number on the web) earns 25.2 million Dollars a year just for being on the Lakers, so that doesn’t include endorsements, advertising and such. just for being on the team and playing basketball (which is, as the author of the article pointed out, non-essential). So you take number and divide it by 365, so you’ll get the daily income, which would be about 68.000$. Now getting back to the household income (’08 numbers, found em on wikipedia): these show that about 66.8% of the Americans don’t even make that kind of money IN A WHOLE YEAR. Salary-wise popular players outnumber the vast majority of U.S. citizens in one day.
So again I ask: what are they bragging about?

I’m just not going to follow the NBA anymore. The recent shortened season left a bad taste in my mouth, and now another one so soon? I’m pretty sure I can find a hobby or past time (for those few moments a working man has) that isn’t quite so disgusting. Even before the lockout, the business side of the game seemed to loom too large for my taste. The upside for me? No more watching mindless, brain-killing commercials for the billion timeouts and commercial breaks that riddle each and every televised game. And also, I don’t have to listen to announcers trying to sugarcoat what is plainly the worst kind of basketball on planet earth (T-wolves fan…sigh). No more hippie insanity from Bill Walton. No more sports interviews (all pointless). No more wondering what they were thinking with that tattoo. No more Reggie Miller sticking a chiv in my gut (Knicks fan also). No more Barkley fat jokes…Free at last! Thank you NBA lockout!

THE NBA WILL NOT BE ON MY RADAR FOR A LONG TIME TO COME AFTER THE CURRENT LOCKOUT ENDS.It doesn’t look like it’s going to be on yours either. A BOYCOTT OF THE NBA IS WHAT IS NEEDED HERE. By all means find a hobby or pastime that you can enjoy that won’t cost as much money.It looks klike a long siege that I want to see BLOW UP IN BOTH THE OWNERS’ AND PLAYERS’ FACES! The longer the lockout lasts the more costly it should be for BOTH SIDES! I hope they NEVER recover their fan base after this lockout ends-if and when it ends!

The fact that they can’t make a deal just goes to show that these people are greedy and only concerned with themselves. Never mind those people who actually need to work at the arenas to make 10 15 dollars an hour. Stop acting like a bunch of spoil brats and make a deal. If not they can afford to pay those workers who actually need more money. Attention players when have you ever heard of an employee making more money than the employer. Make a deal!!!!

The fact that they can’t make a deal just goes to show that these people are greedy and only concerned with themselves. Never mind those people who actually need to work at the arenas to make 10 15 dollars an hour. Stop acting like a bunch of spoil brats and make a deal. If not they can afford to pay those workers who actually need more money.

the players don’t realize that without fans they do not get a paycheck at the end of the day. Now with this NBA lockout, they will be lucky to still have half the people left that will watch to consider them “fans”. What happened to playinf basketball just because you love the game? they are all greedy if you ask me. I feel sorry for those season seat holders………….

The players you’re looking for are playing basketball on high school and college teams.There’s another advantage to watching high school and college basketball, Monique, and it is this:THE HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYERS DON’T WALK OUT ON THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WATCHING THEM PLAY. THEY REALLY DO PLAY FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, SOI THAT IS WHERE YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING. A BOYCOTT OF THE NBA IN FAVOR OF HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE BASKETBALL IS YOUR TICKET IF YOU WEANT TO SEE PLAYERS PLAYING FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME!

High school and college basketball players play for the love of the game.And there’s one more advantage:those players won’t walk out on you in the middle of a game. Do you play sports? If not, you should try it. Or spend your money on activities you can enjoy while the LOCKOUT is still going on and even after it ends-IF IT ENDS! A BOYCOTT OF THE NBA IS WHAT IS NEEDED HERE BECAUSE THEN THE OWNERS AND PLAYERS WILL LEARN ONE HARSH LESSON:YOU NEVER MISS THE WATER TILL THE WELL RUNS DRY!

The Players are Economic Idiots. If I charged into my bosses office and demanded more money I would be fired. I’d say void all the contracts, fire all the players and post 450 want ads on Career Builder. “Looking healthy, athletic, basketball players to entertain large crowds around the country. Please Submit video of performance on the Court. Starting Salary $500,000.”

DEAR, OWNERS AND PLAYERS,
OWNERS: YOU ALL WANT 50/50 SPLIT AND ITS A TAKE IT OR LEAVE, BUT THINK THESE WAY THAT YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GAIN ANYTHING FROM THESE SPLIT BECAUSE ALL YOU(OWNERS) ARE DOING IS LOSING MONEY FROM THE LOCK OUT. THE FANS HAVE STARTED TO TURN THERE ATTENTION FROM THE NBA. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO SELL TICKETS, JERSEYS, ETC…. IF THE PLAYERS WANT 53% THAN WHY DON’T YOU GIVE THE PLAYERS WHAT THEY WANT. ITS JUST A MATTER OF 3% MORE THAT IS GOING TO THE PLAYERS. IF YOU DO THE CALCULATIONS WITH 3% GIVING TO THE PLAYERS YOU ARE STILL MAKING PROFIT. PLUS THE TEAM THAT IS NOT MAKING PROFIT IS YOUR OWN FAULT BECAUSE YOUR OWN TEAM IS DOING POORLY ON THE COURT, SO YOU ARE LOSING FANS. EVEN AFTER THIS 50/50 SPLIT THE TEAMS THAT ARE POORLY ON THE COURT ARE STILL GOING TO LOSE MONEY THAT IS A FACT. SO JUST DEAL WITH IT THAT IT IS YOUR OWN TEAMS FAULT THAT THEY CAN’T PERFORM WELL ON THE COURT. FOR OWNERS WHO ARE LOSING MONEY GO LOOK AT THE STATS OF THE TEAMS WHO ARE MAKING PROFIT BECAUSE THERE TEAMS ARE ACTUALLY WINNING GAMES. WE(THE FANS) HAVE ALREADY STARTED UNSUBSCRIBING FROM ALL THE NBA SOURCES. WE ARE NOT COMING BACK THE END.

@Season
NBA is an INDOOR sport. Nobody cares if season starts in October or May and finishes July or December. Just delay the season.

@Negotiations
PLAYERS get too much money (best paid sports international) and NBA needs a hard salary cap with a “star player rule”: One player on every team has no maximum salary AND is not accounted to the salary cap. But these contracts are never guaranteed, so owners can drop underperformers.

OWNERS are businessman, not very rich fans. Maybe that was different before.
Stern is a bad negotiator, he should retire. He is the one who ruined the two previous CBAs, so why does he stay? will he do better now? no. Get out, Stern.

Dear Owners – Hire scab players to contracts no greater than $300,000 a year. Hold open tryouts in every NBA city for street ballers to ‘Live the Dream’ of playing in the NBA. Use them in your games until the real players wake up to reality. Drop ticket prices by 25% for standard seats and 45% for courtside. Let us find some new faces to cheer for.

Dear Players – You seem intent on playing elsewhere for LESS money, so go and do it. I’m sick and tired of your arguments. Your points were all invalidated when several members of your union seemed content with accepting LESS MONEY to play OVERSEAS. Given that logic, you are obviously willing to take LESS MONEY to play in some former communist bloc country, so by all means do so. Idiots, if you’re holding out for more money, don’t go and say you’ll take less money somewhere else.

You don’t have to pay me to play ball, just take care of travel arrangements, and if you were to pay me to play ball, then just give me $50,000 a year like the other guy said. Start your league with new talents and for people who really care about the game of basketball.

This situation looks very bad to the players. How on earth do they want to be greedy and make more money than OWNERS! These players are multi-milionaires and set for life. What they need to do is split the money 50/50 and move on from this issue. At the end of the day, its the FANS who gets these players their salaries who suffers the most. Therefore, these players need to suck up their ego and stop being greedy!

With the owners proposal, they want a guarantee that they are going to make profit…. and they most certainly will with the reductions they are asking for.

But my question is this. What other business enterprise in the world can guarrantee profit? None.
The owners lost a combined $300 million last year.
They want this loss paid for IN FULL by the players, and then some!

No way in the world that’s fair. I hope there isn’t a season…. and I hope the players can keep holding out. The owners are being incredibly unfair by not being willing to negotiate on their demands. And that’s exactly what it is- a DEMAND. There’s no compromise on their part, and I believe the courts will see it the players way.

The line in the sand was the previous agreement. It’s up to the OWNERS to negotiate a better system from that line…. not draw a completely different line in the sand and ask the owners to meet it or else.

I live in Europe and in addition to getting up in the middle of the night I have to pay for the games I see.
I think it’s time that fans stop complaining and start taking action and organizing (facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc.).
For my part I promise to:
– DO NOT buy games for a time equal to the suspension of the season.
– DO NOT buy any items related to the NBA merchandise this season.

I loved the NBA i’m only 16 and only just recently got into basketball 3 years ago, and living in Britain made it hard for me to watch the games, but i still did id stay up all night till 4 most nights watching the likes of Lakers, Heat ,Bulls and actually all the teams, in Britain its hard to find basketball to that quality, in a country where basketball isn’t really a main sport we have football (soccer) and rugby or cricket. for me they weren’t exciting , what exited me was when Kobe Bryant won the all star MVP when the Mavs won the NBA championship despite not being the favorite or even Memphis making it as far as they did.I loved the NBA i couldn’t wait to see the next season after such a immense season, but no, players and owners are squabbling over money that i probably wont make in my whole life time! us being the fans PAY to watch the players PLAY we don’t PAY to watch them or their owners FIGHT over this money, its entirely stupid they both have enough money individually to go through their lives, making this lockout totally ironic, the big picture is, we are losing our money to watch you play, yet you stop play to work out how you are going to split the money. if this lockout goes on you wont have any money to split.

You are 100% CORRECT in saying that if there is no NBA season people will lose interest. These people are dropping the ball BIG-TIME WITH THEIR STUPID LOCKOUT;while there is a world of difference between a lockout and a strike by players, BOTH ARE WORK STOPPAGES and both have the same result in this economy-fans find other ways to spend their money. I hope and pray, Christian that you will find a sport or other activity you can participate in yourself that you can enjoy and that others will, too.

The players are refusing to take the 50/50 deal because they would be losing +/- $120 million? What kinda compensation are the owners and players giving to those that are caught between their greed? Are the NBA players/owners willing to make a deal of a 40/60 split of their salary w/ the everyday folks that pay for the seats in the arenas? Because in their “negotiations”, its the everyday folks that are losing business and their livelihoods!

Will The players came to investors or stockholder’s of their own teams? compromising part of their money or salary

May be that could be an option, then, when each season finish, they will go back for ROI and get ther 50/50.

If both sides are fighting for other side doesn’t get more than they selves… great! keep out the extra revenue and use to benefit Owners, Players and Fans.

Players, go ahead bros… keep fighting for your right, but remember, there’s not right without of obligations.

Owners, your the heads there, and your taken the risk,,, management it!!!… put your “If… ” clauses to get to players what they want. Like a child when requires a new video game “If He do their homework”… “If don’t….”

A world where seeking for “I win/You lose” relationships, as take world wars and generations, economical, educational and social gaps.
A world where seeking for “I win/You win” relationships, we can’t imagine their goals….

In the real world you don’t get to dictate to your employer what you make. I pull in about 5 times my salary in revenue. Around me are support people that need to be paid, buildings, utilities, taxes, the list goes on. In the end my employer is lucky to make 10-15% profit for the year. How ignorant and selfish I would be if I said I was one of the revenue generators and I was going to take 56% of all revenue and not leave my employer enough to pay the bills, let alone turn a profit.

You kow what… let the players play in the school yards and public parks for pic up games… then work a 8hour shift! then maybe I will listen to the bickering on why they need more money.. to pay rent.. or buy food for there families.. and then have to work overtime just to make ends meet!!.. but yall go rite ahead and play for 48 or so minutes and travel the states complining!! im done!

This why nfl is better then nba. Nfl team are only poor for a few years and then you see a turn around. Either from the draft and by a hard cap. If the nba want all the team to get the share of the pie, have a hard cap and get rid of the lottory picks. Yeah you may have sorry teams throw away season for the first pick in the draft but it will make team better. Also stop giving guarantee money to player. You see a lot of player play real good on contract year then once they get the money they be come a bust. I’m on the owner side. Nba player has to realize that you make more money playing a game you love, then a person going to school four year getting a degree. But half the blame go to the owner. They giving the player to much money from the being. A lot of these player is playing to make money and not for the love of the game. Like Kobe is like the old school player when the game start they want to win it all. But like Lebron James he a good player but he about that dollar. He don’t care about winning. The bad part is he could the best player in the nba if he get a hungry attitude like the old school players. Nba player need a reality check, owner hold out as long as you can. Like at my job if I want do it find someone who will. I know a lot people who play basketball for cheaper. Player wake the hell up!

Seems that this lockout issue has its deepest roots set in greed. Both sides are turning their backs at the true driving factor of this leagues success: THE FANS!! I’ve been watching NBA games since I was a child, and being from Europe, I had to wake up in the middle of the night to catch them. I think there should be a payback from the unrepresented side at this talks, when/if the season evetually starts. How would it be if we, the fans, all boicot the games for a duration equal to that of the cancellation? How would they feel then? What would the financial impact be for them? It might be to strong of a blow to the egoes sitting at/driving those negotiations. It’s greed when you end up arguing for +/-1-2%, when your wages are amongst the highest in the world. It is UNFAIR to the rest of us!!!

I totally agree with all of these comments. I have to say… this is really sad billions of dollars can’t be split 50/50. That really tells you something about the players we have in this league and what they really care about. I’ve been an NBA fan my whole life and to hear all of this is such a shame.

I really wish that both sides(more so the players side) could see that the nba is a product, and WE your fans pay for a VERY big part of your income. If we dont go to your games your revenue split of 53% your holding out for will be alot less then the 50% income, beacause lets face the truth, if you keep making your fans mad why would we come back? I really feel like you guys need to look at the big picture, if you miss a whole season and come back to playing next year to arenas that are not being sold out every night, to jersey sales down 40 % from the year before, and basicly just sitting back not doing anything to help your product grow into the billion dollar company it has grown into over the years, you won’t have any profit . Basicly my question to you is it really worth bitting the hand that feeds you?

OK OK OK OK OK . I HEAR YOU…. MY TURN
Screw NBA players. Stern is trying to make it a fair competition. And was forced to do this due to recent, alarming events that CONNOT CONTINUE … eg::: (talents to southbeach). And already talk of other supertrades (Howard as a Laker?) The players are only in it for money. It is sad beacuase it means that 5 mill (average NBA salary) isnt good enough for these egotistical douchebags. The best thing about NFL, is that all teams can compete. Stern and co are in every right to bring in the thougher luxury tax, and request 50/50. Because right now the system has only 10 of 30 teams able to compete consistantly. Make no mistake this is the players at fault, and seeing all the “stars” stand up there behind Derick FishingForMoney, its makes you think all these guys on 15 mill a year want more money? really? arent they just playing BB, a game, anyway?
Look at Joe Johnson for example, Hawks a team on the verge of becoming really competative, and for some reason, Joe Johson starves them for every amount of cash possible, getting a 120mill contract for 5 years or something. WTF, firstly Joe Johnson is TERRIBLE, and does he really NEED that extra money? NO. One example of how stupid and arrogant NBA players are.
However, the younger generation… Rose,Durant,Howard,Griffen seem pretty genuine, so there is hope for future because these young players are actually good people, unlike Lebrons/Wade’s/Bosh’s/Jjohnsons/DFisshers/Lewis.
So get behind Stern, and against Derick Fisher, because the deal that Stern is pushing is good for the NBA, and bad for greedy players.

What i don’t get is that these players get paid millions of dollars and they’re arguing about loosing just a little bit of that! Like are you serious? NBA player are already set for life, how much more money do you need? If I only make $10 an hour and there are plenty of people without jobs. If you have any sort of cash in the millions, your family is set your life is set , all you have to do is sit back and relax the rest of your life! We pay to go to the games, buy jerseys, etc. My family all gathers around the TV when the Orlando magic are playing. That is my favorite team I’ve stuck with them since day one went through ups and downs and I’m still wearing my Magic jersey till this day. Us fans want the NBA to come to an agreement so we can all watch the sport that we love so much. So what if you loose a million dollars , cause in the end your bank account is still going to be filled with 10 more million in there. Come on players get it together, stop being greedy , stop caring only about yourselves and think of others (THE FANS) We want basketball!!! we want the All STAR GAME!! That is another thing , i live in Orlando and was looking fwd to the all star game being held here next yr and now GUESS WHAT! I CANT GO IF THIS LOCKOUT CONTINUES!.. Ive never been to an all star game and for it to come to my city during a lockout sucks!

wow now the players are greedy and selfish now that there wanting money from something they put blood sweat and tears into. Lets remember that this is still and business and their jobs and whos on the court and busting there butts night in and night out not the owners but lol trying to make more then the owners is truthfully wild lol-END THE LOCKOUTTT!!!

I am not going to sugar coat this at all. Its sickening how these people are being as greedy as they are. They should feel blessed to even be making the money they do. I love the NBA. Basketball has been my favorite sport since I was 5 years old. i remember watching Allen Iverson and Michael Jordan, Barkely, Malone and Stockton. Now I watch the new basketball with people like Kobe and lebron. the game has obviously changed but thats beside the fact that, with everyday this lockout goes on they lose another fan and then another. people are on the streets and these players want more money, its truly disgusting. A 50/50 deal is the best deal the players could ever ask for. What happned to the love of the game or is that not a factor anymore in this sport. I love the NBA and hope to have a career involving it but maybe that dream will change who knows? Come to an agreement stop dissappointing your fans

I am a 19 year old college student and I work part-time at New Metlife stadium where the Giants and Jets play. Employees at stadiums truly suffer from this lockout. In my experience this past two months, it was the money that I earned working at Metlife stadium that I used to pay for my college books. Correct me if I’m wrong but It is pretty clear that these players and owners truly do not care for the fans and stadium employees. It’s tough to find a job out there these days and these men are arguing over how to share billions of dollars? Are you kidding me??? People are resorting to crime just to get a few coins in their pockets! What hurts even more is that many of these players were not born into wealthy families. They should be able to relate to the guy making some thousands of dollars a year and realize how their debate has become so foolish. Also, player salaries over the past decade + years have risen. Bird and Magic were content with their salaries. I understand that the economy has changed overtime, but once again you mean to tell me that 20 mill over 5 years is not enough to feed your family? (cough cough* Sprewell)
But I actually heard Derek Fisher make a wise comment (Something in regard to giving back to stadium employees). How about a 3rd party split between stadium employees? Or do something for the fans! E.g. Cut some of the stadium food costs or ticket prices. It pains my heart to be selling a regular sized bottle of water for $5! Or a hot dog for $8. End this NOW! You are not hurting yourselves nearly as much as you are hurting millions of other people! I was almost shook up when the NFL lockout nearly cost me a job. Basketball is a great sport and it just sucks that I’m left with NBA 2k, and random pick-up games at the gym. But hey players and owners, good luck when the season does begin because you both just made a LOT of people angry.

Its hard for me not to respond but please get these comments to the players and owners, i live for the nba october to june and you guys debating over money.Derik fisher please stop talking about you guys love the game and is ready to play over 2.5 percent be real.Come work in this warehouse i work in and see how fast you take what you can get.i guess i will give up on the nba and go to college thanks greedy people in the league

This is a sign of how deep hypocrisy is in the hearts of the players and owners. Nba Cares, read this, charity that, really? Really? We the fans are to blame for having faith on a league and players numbed by good’old greed and selfishness, we never learn…How dare you owners and playrs, it’s not like the NBA is broke! Shame on you! Shame on you all, we love this game, and you are hurting us by fighting for money when we are entering a very serious global crisis and people are hungry all over the planet

I’m an Australian and I have only just started to follow the NBA in the last two years or so. I probably don’t have all the facts but I just can’t believe that anyone could be unhappy with getting paid millions of dollars to play a sport they love in front of thousands of fans. It’s not like they can’t live extremely comfortably lives on that kind of salary. I just don’t understand it.

The Player fail to realize that without the FANS who spend their HARD EARNED DOLLARS to watch the Players play night in and out… There WOULD NOT be a NBA let alone a SEASON. The longer this lockout continues… The more money is lost. The players and owners should be thankful that they are get 6 and 7,8 figure salaries. And those salaries come DIRECTLY FROM THE FANS!!! Quit Crying and take deal so WE the FANS can have somewhat of a season!!!

I like the comment above about replacing this league with the D league. pay the players on a performance reated scale, the better you play the more you earn. I think all sports are starting to alienate the fans, with their greed and lack of regard for the true heart of sports the fans.

Dear players…. WE MADE YOU! we, the fans, are the reason ur here right now! we have supported you all these years and now ur only giving us the fingers…! “It’s all about the fans” now we know how much u meant it! ITS ALL ABOUT UR POCKETS you greedy rich spoiled kids! Yo its funny most people are talking about the love of basketball…man screw that! Dear players! your presence can EASILy be replaced by 2k, esp with the amazing job they did with 12. u guys are so replaceable! dont get to comfortable! for get about our love for the game…and your respect for the game…and your love and respect for us, the fans…what about the pople whose lives depend on the league?! what about them?! what about those whose jobs and low salaries and poor families depend on the NBA games…?! you with your greed are ruining lives here man!

So we made Kobe bryant and Lebron James, Michael Jordan? hmmm pretty sure we wasn’t there those 5:00 mornings they got up to shoot jumpers or helping them when times got rough from cameras in there faces 24/7, yeah smh a real fan would stick by them no matter which you obviously aren’t.Spoiled little kids? come on most of the guys come from poor backgrounds get out of here!!

It’s funny how the players want to share and get a bigger piece of the income pie with the owners like they are partners in the business. How about if the franchises are losing money? Would they be willing to share the loss as well? It shows that players just want to get paid without thought whether their huge salaries are allowing for a sustainable business model.

The NBA should fine both the players and the owners for every game missed. Fine the players 3-5 times their salary per game and fine the owners 2-3 times their payroll per game for every game missed. This money should be given to those low-wage workers at the stadiums and other the businesses that are loosing millions of dollars while these stupid millionaires and billionaires are bickering over pennies. As a fan I wish I could fine the NBA for not preventing this situation. As a Lakers fan I say Fisher can go to BEEP. They should dump his old butt and pick up someone who really wants to play basketball for a living.

if they don’t start bloody playing soon they are going to lose money and therfore defeat the purpose of this whole lockout, in which the teams and players got all to greedy and wanted more cash. if this goes on any longer, they are going to lose all their fans

I’m from Croatia and is needless to say that I used to stay up till 3am to see my Knicks playin’ a game….players are freakin’ gready…2 billion $…give me a break guys!! I’m workin’ every day for 12 hours to get my 400$ paycheck for the entire month and you people are bitchin’ over 2-3%! Let them switch places with us workin’ people and see what is truly a hard earned money….I would pay them by efficiency and that is that…some of the players have earned enough money for 2-3 lifetimes and they still have the guts to say: “We want more!” ….shame on you people…shame on you….

Looks like 99 percent of these comments are from the owners and all their family. With all these comments blaming the players in all this there’s only 2 possible things going on. The fans are borderline retarded and don’t realize that the owners are fat white lazy schmoes who act very much like slave owners, and the players are the slaves who put their body on the line and have THEIR name make the nba. So why the hell would they accept the deal the slave masters are offering when the players are the ones out there grinding? I really wish more of you clown “fans” did more research instead of spewing nonsense and spreading your disease over the internet.

Your an idiot. Is this the players business? Do you know what it takes to run a business? I don’t even know why i’m wasting my time replying to your idiotic post. Forget it, you wouldn’t understand what’s going on if someone spoon fed it to you like a child.

@ disgustedNBAfan: Who is spewing nonsense? Seriously??? I’m pretty sure most of us “borderline retarded/clown” fans realize that MJ is neither fat, white _or_ lazy, despite your absurd comments. Twisting a $ thing into a racial thing just obliterates any point you might have been trying to make. I love to watch and play basketball because it is a beautiful thing when a _team_ achieves greatness with skill and determination. Some of today’s players don’t seem to realize that the game isn’t about THEM. Sadly, I think the NBA can be too eager to make it about THEM in order to attract more fans. No wonder some fans display the same arrogance and short-sightedness as some of the players. The point has been made very well by others here, that fans are the true source of NBA profits. Players and owners can squabble all they want about how to divide up the $, but they shouldn’t expect a dime unless they treat the FANS with the respect they deserve.

it should be for the love of the GAME not the love for the MONEY. in 1 year They make more than any average person does in YEARS and their complaining about a CUT!

your hurting those who work outside your stadium, the workers inside the stadium, those who work within the tv net works, those who are NOT the players nor the owners. YOU’RE still making more than the average household does in a year, so why the whining and complaining! take it and go on with what you tend to say you love doing, “playing the game”.

ONE PIECE MISSING
leaving all discussions about BRI split / salary cap aside there is one important income source that some of you cloud miss. PLAYERS GET MONEY FROM COMMERCIALS AS WELL!!!. I know its their own, personal choice, work done outside of NBA etc but nobody would care about them if they would not be FAMOUS. And who makes them FAMOUS? 1 – FANS , 2- League (read it owners by drafting them). Its owners and league money invested in players so they can get better and better and with that goes FAME. Fame is what companies likes so thats why you see FAMOUS people in commercial – and they get paid pretty well for that. Therefore split 50/50 + performance related bonuses is fair to both parties. Anything you (PLAYERS / OWNERS) earn outside is yours anyway (unless i dont know someting).

im so frustrated with whats happening i wrote the comment in my first language just to remind that NBA fans are not just from USA but from around the world. the players should realise just to able to play in this league is the ultimate gift of life u know. people like me can just dream to watch ONE NBA GAME in our lives! to the owners, oh come on, this is more than just the damn business. despite all this im still hoping there will be a full season. its waste to see true players like KD and some others who hv been shooting the ball out of their heart! if i were in boston i wouldve “occupy NBA”

I thought the players “LOVE” the game?? then why can’t they take the 50/50 split? guys, if you really “love” basketball, its not about the money its about the game itself. The fans are expecting another great season and will not have one if this lockout continue. And btw, isn’t it good enough that the players get millions for just playing the game they “LOVE”? hope this lockout will end soon..

Sorry, Bon, but it is the FANS WHO SHOULD WALK AWAY AND UNLESS AND UNTIL THEY DO, THERE WILL NEVER BE ANY RELIEF FROM THE IDIOTIC TICKET PRICES AND OVERRATED CONCESSIONS AT THE ARENAS.THE PLAYERS SHOULD BE MADE TO WORK FOR PEANUTS NO MATTER HOW SHORT THEIR CAREERS ARE!

The Fans should find other ways to spend their money but still patronize the restaurants and bars that can use their patronage even if there is no NBA season in 2011-12. They CAN and SHOULD form groups to go bowling, or join bowling leagues already formed, but STAY AWAY FROM THE NBA UNTIL #@%! FREEZES OVER!

a bunch of greedy human, out there many one are suffering from sickness to mental problems. i don’t care less even if they ever settle their $$$$ problem. i just watch on my tv. pay nothing to them. lastly, nbas, go look at the mirror who is the real boss. i am, the spectators are. cheers, ynwa!!

all these nba players should realize if weren’t for the fans they wouldn’t be placed in the world stage and none of them would be known… owners are business men and if business is not good they should close shop.. why in the world are they asking for a share in the basketball revenues when they are receiving a large sum of money in the form of salaries and bonuses? i think the owners have the right in their claim for the revenues because they are the ones who are investing on this business.. THE players should play like MJ or KOBE IF they want a to hav ea share on these revenues… play like MJ or KOBE THEN YOU CAN DEMAND FOR A SHARE OF THESE REVENUES!!!

all these nba players should realize if weren’t for the fans they wouldn’t be place in the world stage and none of them would be known… owners are business men and if business is not good they should close shop.. why in the the world are they asking for a share in the basketball revenues when they are receiving a large sum of money in the form of salaries and bonuses? i think the owners have the right in their claim for the revenues because they are the ones who are investing on this business.. THE players should play like MJ or KOBE IF they want a to have share on these revenues… play like MJ or KOBE

GREEDY! BOTH SIDES!! Used to love the NBA, thinking about it just makes me sick now. Getting paid millions per year, for sitting on the bench, over 20 million for star players for doing what they love?! the owners, billionairs, wanting more?! RIDICULOUS!! Sad, pathetic. DISGRACEFULL

I am a sports fanatic, and it all began in the early 90’s for me in school shooting hoops idolising Michael Jordan & Magic Johnson.. I learnt a lot from these 2 legends about respect for the game, and respect for others involved

I’m now residing in Perth Western Australia where the NBA still plays a major part of my life, I watch every game that we get televised and keep track of every other game on the internet while im at work. To say the least i’m shocked and shattered about the new developments and that a huge sport like this can be cancelled because the current players have forgotten about the respect that Jordan and Johnson taught the world.

Very disappointing boys because no matter what happens now, you’ve lost my respect and the respect of all the true basketball fans out there who grew up in this sport because we loved it not because we wanted to make more money than the next guy…take a long hard look at yourselves..The 2 icons im pretty sure are embarressed to say that you guys are doing what they put their blood and sweat on the line for no matter what

For the LOVE of the game, come to an agreement and get back on the court already!

Why not having a compromise? If the owners generate profit, it’s 53/47 for the players, no profit, it’s 50/50, and if the owners lose money and prove it, it’s 47/53. After all, winning or leasing, it’s got something to do with the players and the games. The better they play and the more exciting the games are, the more the fans will spend on watching and stuff. It’s that simple!

lol just wait till the ncaa basketball starts no one will care about the nba ,way i see it they have a week because soon as college bball starts nba will lose half its fans and may never get them back,Funny how dumb they are hey

The player are working very hard to get to NBA. Michael J was one of them who let his voice hard when he was playing Basket ball. Charles Bakery as well. Now they are retired, I would like to see which side are they taking. Owner side or player side.

They have to remeber those days when they were sweating in the coat. Do not forget MJ. Think how hard your were working to get money your were getting.

Let’s see what all this contention is about:
Players:
– It’s for the middle to lower leveled players (the high flyers will always be paid well with endorsements and such)
– It’s about the future generation of basketball players (this decision will not affect the current crop so much as most are under contract)
– It’s a matter of principle. (Previously they had 57%)
– Hard cap (Means teams will be less willing to spend on average players and those middle to low level player suffers)

Owners:
– Competitive Balance (As much as it is about poor signing, a small market team really struggles to keep up with the big market team)
– Money Making (The lost is real. If I’m a business-man, I have the say in where I put my money. I have the right to make sure my investment sees return)
– Increasing Cost (The whole operation is increasing in cost, thanks to inflation. Electricity Bills goes up, everything!!)

So after analyzing what this whole thing is about, I find that seriously the Owners aren’t really that greedy. Yes they want to make money, but if you invest your money into a burger joint, wouldn’t you want the investment to have returns? Would you expect to have to sit through all these nonsense such as a Staff Union who demands that you continue to suck up the lost and pay them more?

The players are forgeting that if the Fan leaves, their 50% will be worth much lesser. The players will be paid no matter what. Go to China and you will hear of players not being paid after their season, at least not in the NBA. However, as owners they have everything to lose! $150 Million?! No joke. Furthermore, the players are forgeting the poor ticket-sales man, the ball boy, the dancers, trainers whose jobs are in jeapordy! Obviously the owners can move all their investment elsewhere to another venture that will be more profitable, but they actually stuck it through with the players!

Poor signings are definitely the teams’ fault, but really we’re all talking in hindsight. Well captain hindsight, we all know that they should have drafted no. 4 Michael Jordan now don’t we instead of all the 3 above? But obviously at that point of time, it was worth a gamble. Who would know that Greg Oden would perpetually injured? Injury is a BIG question-mark and no one can predict that. Yet owners will still have to pay the players!

I hope some players read this and seriously consider that their decision affect many more people than just themselves. If not, the owners can make the opposite of their decision and move their money elsewhere where they feel has more economic sense and everyone suffers. If my boss told we can split the profit 50-50, I’d take it any day.

This is bad theater. Both sides fighting over the ludicrous tons of money, but when they stop fighting, hey look nobody is watching anymore and that money go >poof<. Enjoy all the free time, no money, and fighting with each other! Lame.

This comes to show that the players and the owners dont care about the game itself, they are in it only for the money! bunch of sell outs! I looked forward so much for this season and now everyone in the NBA is destroying everything us, the fans, have come to love for years! No matter who are team is, whether they win or lose, there are fans that have been loyal to them for years! this is how the NBA repays us???

If they want a lockout i have a lockout of my own lets lockout the NBA by not spending anymore money with these blood suckers… NBA cares alright about their bottom line dollars and cents and everyone else is expandable. I refuse to be treated this way and so should you. We have already made them rich now lets spend money on things of more value.

what i don’t understand is why some of us “upset and angry” fans don’t wait outside these last meeting places and burn jerseys and other nba merchandise in front of them and let it get on tv! i’m actually surprised that someone hasn’t already thrown rotten eggs or tomatoes AT BOTH SIDES as they appear, especially in new york where there are many, many pissed off knick fans. how about some FANS showing that type of protest to both sides of these greedy bastards? come on, anybody?

There are better ways to show the world that you’re disgusted with the NBA.LIKE STAYING AWAY FROM THE NBA arenas and letting the news cameras show EMPTY SEATS FOR THE 150th DAY IN A ROW! Doing destructive things is only going to land you in the pokey. STAYING AWAY FROM THE NBA arenas in New York, Miami, Chicago or Boston
is a more constructive way to show that you’re angry with both sides.It’s called a BOYCOTT, Chris.

This is my notice of resignation from the ranks of the blind, lemminglike, and nonsensical legion of people that consider themselves fans of what was one of the best sports leagues around. Yes, I considered the NBA above its counterparts(MLB, NFL and the like), but no longer. Now I see this travesty for what it really is, an insipid attempt to bilk and manipulate people into believing that they were getting what they paid for. It is now very apparent that neither the players or the owners give a flying conception of a rodent’s posterior about their fans.

I have followed (and yes, enjoyed) the Los Angeles Lakers since 1970, but no longer, and I will no longer bear the burden of supporting (even in a small part) a business of such crybabies that cannot and will not realize that they have alienated the very reason they even have jobs in the first place. I have enjoyed the time immensely, but it is time to move on to things that really matter. I have a job, like many others, that is dwarfed mightily by the monies collected by these so-called professionals. And I am beyond dismayed, in fact, angered by the fact that both sides refuse to come to an agreement. The players that came before these so-called athletes would and should be dismayed by the attitudes seen at this time. Surely those deceased players that helped bring along a league through its growing pains (and those owners as well) must be rolling over in their graves.

Perhaps it is indeed time for the present incarnation of professional basketball to fade into the mists of history and a new league be brought forth, one built on integrity and a sense of responsibility to those who support them, the fans.

In closing. I would be remiss in not thanking the NBA for many years of enjoyment, but now it is a mere shadow of the league that I found so many years ago, With that, I draw a curtain down upon a facet of my life that I had enjoyed greatly, but no longer.

Just kick out the players and bring in new under new rules, league will be back talent wise in a year or 2 as most players will come crawling back and begging to play, cap superstar salary at 10million/year they will more then make up for it on other endorsements.

The players have extraordinary talent. That’s why they get paid the way they do. However, they get paid whether they have a good season or a bad season, or get injuried. The business side is complex and there is a much, much greater risk in not sustaining a profit. The 50/50 split looks fair to most people. It looks bad to the players now only because they have had a larger spilt in the past.

I do see the big name players being pulled hard into the big markets as part of free agency, so that is not good for the health of the league (e.g. Cleveland). The health of the league and smaller markets is important in the long run so this definitely needs to be addressed.

Hopefully in 2020 there won’t be referee’s influencing games, or owners and officials using fines to make cultural statements, (kobe, gay rights awarness increase all of a sudden in nba last year) or ten players that are easily better than the other 490 players, or two teams with those players, or 200 dollar seat prices from a distance where most people would have trouble throwing a basketball onto the court from, or players drawing fouls purposefully to get a free throw, (give me a break, u either can score on your man or u can’t, go for the shot), etc, etc, I do know one thing though, I have been enjoying basketball as a sport since I was five and thought a basket was worth 5points, I don’t need the nba, and if things don’t get back to how they should be, I ll make sure my children grow up watching futball (soccer)

Both sides (owners and players) are greedy and immature, and neither deserve a great fan base. I’m hoping that everyone can organize a big day in basketball (when the lockout is over) where NO ONE WATCHES ANY GAMES just to let the owners and players know that we don’t appreciate this lockout.

I empathize with a lot of sentiments on this discussion. I feel that the players and the owners need to think of the fans first and foremost; without us, this debate, and essential, what the debate is surrounding, would not be in existence. I understand it takes a lot of time, commitment, and energy to be a player in the NBA, but when making millions, I’m not quite sure why the players are so shallow in terms of getting some “pay cut”. It’s called reality, especially in this economic status. We all face it as fans! I understand the players what to make a stand and continue to make millions (perhaps being a bit egotistic), but at the end of the day, if the season is cancelled, is it really worth it? Playing for the fans, who are the consumers, is of importance–most NBA players know the league is a business.

Sorry Erwin but these guys have long ago turned their backs on the fans, WHO SHOULD NOW TURN THEIR BACKS ON THE PLAYERS AND OWNERS!AND I MEAN FOR KEEPS! IF THERE WERE NO NBA I WOULD MOURN ONLY FOR THE PEOPLE WHOSE BUSINESSES WENT BUST OR WHO LOST THEIR JOBS DUE TO A LOST NBA SEASON-A SEASON LOST TO GREED AND STUBBORNNESS!

So far I’ve been trying to stay on the players side, since I do believe going back, it’s the owners who started raising the prices of merchandise and everything else, and if it were just between the players and owners the players would be right. But a lot of people have jobs depending on these idiots and they don’t seem to care. They’d rather be 3 percent richer. And that goes for both sides but esp the players..At this point I’d like to tell the players I’ve #$#@ sick of them all. Tired. Don’t care. No enthusiasm. Not willing to spend my money and drive two hours to go see what was my favorite team or players play from nosebleed seats.

What I like about sports is when it becomes a metaphor or example of the greatness that we are all capable in our lifes. Even though it’s a game, it’s nice seeing the success that comes with hard work and mental strength, intellect etc. It inspires me in the rest of my life. I wasn’t around then but the greatness of guys like Bill Russell really make Basketball seem like something more for me. I’ve seen images of him walking off after his last celtic championship holding hands with his teammates. I’m pretty sure he was also coach that year too. Who would do that now a days? Who would be capable. Most are too big of babies.

I used to be a Kobe hater, but I’ve had to admit over the years that he is skilled. I used to like LeBron but over the years I’ve had to admit I can’t stand his attitude. Now I’m really ready to forget these guys. They lack something fundamental inside that the other greats had, and it’s not physical ability. They are immature, that’s why none of the big names are out there being at all these talks even though they have the money to fly there. The same should be said of Nowitzki too, since people want to make him into a great now too.

You know what’s really going on? People nowadays are like this… you give somebody a hand, they’ll be pullin’ your whole arm instead of just grabbin the hand!! NBA players, this one’s for you… you’re all greedy wives of dogs!

Hello NBA players and owners. Utter frustration fills my mind each time I see, read, or hear reports on these labor negotiations. At this point, what is being gained by either side. If it is in fact all about money, then at this point, no matter how “the pie” is being sliced, neither side will receive any of it because there is no season! Great Job guys!!! Lets be clear on something. To the players: Understand that without the fans to hoist you on their shoulders, pay hard earned money for tickets and merchandise, you wouldn’t be the millionaires you are today. To the owners: If those same fans aren’t coming into your arenas, after taking a second mortgage out to pay for parking, tickets, and concessions to see the very players you are fighting right now, then you aren’t the billionaires you are today. Fans don’t care about “the pie”. They aren’t receiving any of it! This nation is having hard financial times right now. And one of their escapes from this harsh world was an NBA game!

All I’m saying is that in the end, the NBA fans are the ones getting screwed, not you! Because once a deal is struck, you guys will go back to the status quo; you’ll have your millions, and we the fans will scrap up money to pay overpriced tickets to go to games. Nobody ever likes being taken for granted. We fans are no different. No matter how many players tweet about how they love the fans, we don’t care because we know its not true. You guys need to get it together!

THE STATUS QUO IS DUE FOR A MAJOR CHANGE! The fans are NO LONGER GOING TO PUT UP WITH BEING TAKEN FOR GRANTED! There are lots more activities that the fans can indulge in that will cost a lot less money than watching NBA games! They can go bowling, play basketball themselves, patronize restaurants but do other things afterward to show their disgust with the NBA!

It’s funny to see people mostly criticizing the players for being greedy. In truth the players should be making slightly more of the BRI than the owners because it’s the players that people come to watch, not the owners. 51/49 split in favor of the players should be pretty fair, but it’s just pitiful to see all these players and owners whining about how they aren’t making enough millions of dollars every year just to play basketball. This lockout is, in large part, the owners fault for spending ridiculous amounts of money on players salaries. There has to be a concession by both sides in order for progress to be made, let’s see it get down before the game of basketball is destroyed forever.

Good riddance NBA season 2011-2012. Selfish, selfish, selfish people – WE pay your salaries. People worry about where they get their next meal and you guys are crying over spilled golden corn flakes falling out of your overflowing cereal bowl. Truly sad. I’ve watched the NBA my whole life – I’m officially done with the NBA. Besides, all the greats who actually loved the game are retired. I mean – LOVED the game for THE GAME. Not “loved the game” for what they got from it. NBA is cut off.

And the NBA PLAYERS DESERVE TO BE CUT OFF! They should be made to work for PEANUTS and BE TREATED LIKE PEONS! There are plenty of things out there for NBA fans to do that won’t cost a lot of money. I am hoping that a boycott of the NBA will take hold and last as long as the lockout has lasted.

The players make on average $5.1 million a year … they need to get real ….so the owners want them to take a paycut and get $4.6 million for a season ……the players are upset but they need to get real and see how good they have it. But it is hard for them to understand business because most of them don’t have good business sense, most are poorly educated. If they have to play in Europe or China for $200,000 a season they might just figure it out. Thanks.

Well the NBA and the NBPA have discouraged me from watching the NBA in the future and severely peeved me off! Even as a fan from Australia I’m glad that the NFL were reasonable and able to deal like ADULTS! It’s a little thing called smarten up! You are both just as stubborn as one another and your little childish games won’t last long at all! Silver, you say that your talking a billion dollars over the next 10 years, well expect to lose that this year, with no money coming in from merchandise and TV ratings, expect the NBA, owners and players to lose out of all your greediness! GROW UP!I

by the way…. i’ll be quite glad to give my money to the NFL and see my glorious Green Bay Packers go back-to-back!

The players and owners of the NBA never had me as a fan to begin with, so they cannot lose what they never had in the first place, can they? I like sports I DON’T HAVE TO WATCH. I can shoot a ball into a basket and I do so for the sheer enjoyment of it. And that is what MORE U.S. sports fans should be doing.Remember the players and owners but remember them this way:THEY RUINED THE EXPERIENCE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE!

I am a teacher and about 3 days a week I put in 12 hrs a day but I only make 46,000 a year. The players of the NBA make millions to play basketball! Basketball! I really don’t think basketball is going to change a students life, so If I was the Stern I would draw up a fair contract, which covers everything from health insurance to how to get a pay increase, then I would offer it to the players. If they do not sign the contract then they can look elsewhere for work. There are plenty of good players out there can make a league and if you cant find them here in the great USA then look overseas. How many people get to decide how much they will get paid for a job, and how much of the owners revenue they should get anyway? I just want basketball and I could careless if I am watching Kobe, Lebron, or Anthony, I would watch anyone play as long as it is good compition.

How long did it take you to become a teacher? How many years training and sacrifice? How long do you plan on teaching for? Are you the best in the world at teaching?

Because I bet the answer to any of those questions wont stack up to the players.

It’s taken them YEARS to get where they are, all at a time that many would regard as being “the best time of your life. While you are letting loose and having a great time, these guys are training to become the best.

And for what…. in the hopes that they MIGHT have a 10 year pay period? Because a) The vast majority who do sacrifice their best years dont make it, and b) Even when they do it’s not for ever. There needs to be a payoff… both for the gamble in trying for it, and also for the fact that they cant do this for very long but need the money to last a lifetime.

These guys are the best in the world at what they do. The fact that you make $46k a year as a teacher isn’t a fair comparison. Let’s ask the best teachers in the world (Harvard, Yale etc.) what they are on? And how long do they envisage being in that profession?

I agree that the system needs changing – a reduction from last CBA is fair, as well as a hard cap… but not to the extremes that the greedy owners are asking for. A pay cut is one thing, a complete theft is another.

These guys aren’t the best in the world! that’s a dumb statement to put ball players ahead of teachers.Teachers take over where the parents stop,teachers mold the future of the world.No matter how hard these guys worked to get where they are,they still are only ball players. What do they give back besides entertainment.I think if it came down to who should make the most,most would say teachers.
The ball players right now are showing that they’ve forgotten where they’ve come from.Do you see any players putting you first? Without us fans paying for the entertainment do you think they would be where they are, no matter how hard they worked.
Yes we can blame the players! What would be so bad in taking 50% of what your boss makes? Right now,you are getting maybe 5% of what your boss makes.These players have the ability to accept what’s offered by the owners.After all,they didn’t put up the front money.Sense when does a person that invests in a product, pay the person making that product for them a salary, and give 50% of their profit, then allow that person to demand more?

YOU LOST MY RESPECT AS A BEING A “SO-CALLED” TEACHER WHEN YOU CAN’T EVEN SPELL “COMPETITION” RIGHT AND TAKE $46,000 TAXPAYER DOLLARS A YEAR TO TEACH! BY THE WAY, I THINK YOU’RE ALREADY PAID TO MUCH, JUST LIKE THE NBA PLAYERS, SO DON’T TELL ME HOW “POOR” YOUR SALARY IS!

Hey there NBA! I got something to say, this goes to the owners AND the players, why should I care. Whatcha done for me? Hmmm…. I’m wait’n, whatcha done for me? You expect ME to pay for your new stadiums. You expect ME to pay for your mega salaried suedo superstars. What am I getting for MY investment? While yes, watching the two of you bicker about the BIG piece of pie in the sky you all want, is mildly entertaining, in a sadistic way. I still ask, Whatcha done…. rats hold that thought… I gotta go, or I’ll be late for work…. unlike some people, I HAVE TO WORK…

I don’t care if the greedy thug players never play another game for money. They won’t be doing it on my dollar.
Sports is a marginal utility activity in an economy as stressed as this one. Considering how much they make and the total lack of social responsibility as a group, I don’t care if they are all unemployed. The sooner the better.

The NBA is not on my radar now, hasn’t ben and probably NEVER WILL BE. I am hoping that more fans will reach out to those unfortunate people who stand to lose their jobs if the season is, indeed, down the tubes. Not only to them but to businesses that depend on NBA Games being played to generate revenue. But by all means BOYCOTT THE NBA IF THE 2011-2012 Season is lost altogether!

Lets understand one thing here, THE FANS ARE IN CONTROL HERE. Once we put our foot down and state that we will no longer except this mediocre product at these UNBELIEVABLE PRICES, its time we THE FANS OCCUPY NBA STREET!!!!!!!!!!!! IF WE WANT TO STOP THIS NON-SENSE, WE HAVE THE ABILITY. There is no NBA without the FANS. Players and OWNERS can be replaces, FANS CANNOT!!!!!!!! Lets state some mere facts here for a second.
First and foremost, PLEASE STOP SAYING YOU CARE ABOUT THE FANS, we know better!!!!!!!! And guess what WE THE FANS DONT CARE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR ABSORBANT SALARIES ANYMORE EITHER!!!!!!!!! NOW HOW ABOUT THAT MR DERICK FISHER!!!! I think it was Mr Fisher who stated, the fans dont have a voice here!!!!! He couldnt be more OFF, LIKE HIS HORRIBLE DRIBBLING AND SHOOTING, AS WELL!!!!!!!! IF THE FANS ARE LISTENING, GO TO THE STREETS, BURN ALL OF YOUR NBA CLOTHING AND PRODUCTS. IF WE WANT TO MAKE SOME NOISE AND GET SOME MAJOR CHANGES IN THIS PRODUCT, WE NEED TO TAKE A STAND. We have stood by these clowns long enough, now its time for the FANS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND SHOW THESE CLOWNS, WHAT WE ARE MADE OF. If all the fans stop hiding behind their KEYBOARDS, AND LITERALLY HIT THE STREETS ABOUT STRIKING AGAINST THE NBA OWNERS AND PLAYERS, THIS LOCKOUT WILL END IMMEDIATELY!!!!! We have to take control of this situation that involves alot of GREEDY, AND I MEAN GREEDY PLAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!! If the majority of the OWNERS are losing money, why would they allow the players to have a season?? ANY EDUCATED INDIVIDUAL OUT THERE UNDERSTANDS THAT IF YOU DONT MAKE MONEY, YOU DONT NEED EMPLOYEES, PERIOD!!!!!!!!!! And lets face it, there are 400 PLAYERS, LESS THAN 10% OF THEM ARE WORTH WATCHING!!!! So I encourage everyone who is a TRUE BASKETBALL FAN, TAKE IT TO THE STREETS, AND THIS NBA LOCKOUT WILL END IMMEDIATELY!!!!! THERE IS NO NBA WITHOUT US, THERE IS NO NBA LUCRATIVE CONTRACTS WITHOUT US, THERE IS NO NBA APPAREL WITHOUT US, THERE IS NO ARENA WITHOUT US, NOW NBA, TAKE THAT TO THE BANK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I know lots of fans say they’re through with basketball, and they probably really feel that way.I would love to see the fans become just as united as these spoiled players and really boycott the NBA..When they return to play, everyone just stay home and watch on TV.Refuse to give in to the high ticket prices,and let them feel how dissed we fans really feel.Now I know i can’t get all fans to boycott these arenas but maybe if 20% stopped buying tickets for awhile maybe we can make them feel the power of the fans they have ignored.

When is a 50/50 split not fair? When 30 Owners split 2 billion dollars or 66 million an owner. vs 400 players split 2 billion or 5 million per player, Owner career span, a lifetime; a players career span, less than 5 years. Also most owners make tens of millions in capital gains, which isn’t even on the table.

Under the last CBA players salaries have risen 6%, while revenue has risen 8%. Any losses incurred by owners are due to owner spending on capital improvements (Luxury boxes), not player salaries.

Owners, first share equally among yourselves (see NFL style revenue sharing) then I am sure the players will be more receptive to a plan that increases profitability.

50% to players
48.5% to owners
1.5% to expand community outreach and social programs for the fan base

Consider that 60% of NBA players are bankrupt within 5 years of retiring. This is not because they are underpaid but because they don’t possess the skills or tools to manage their own lives during and after their careers. The majority are a selfish, uneducated and narcissistic lot who have an overinflated opinion of themselves and subscribe to the Ho’s-Boats-and-Automobiles life view.

And don’t get me started on the owners…an elitist mob of incompetent business operators who are either modern day slave traders, cowboys or members of the old boys network who couldn’t turn a faucet let alone a profit.

It’s not about the fans anymore. It’s just two leeches stuck together.

I agree, Wayne. THANKS FOR NOTHING, NBA! WE, THE FANS, ARE GOING TO MAKE YOU GUYS PAY FOR THIS SEASON-2011-2012-IF THIS SEASON GOES DOWN THE SEWER! There are lots of things fans can do when there are no NBA games being played. They can go holiday shopping, they can go out to eat, stimulating the economy by patronizing local restaurants; they can form sports or exercise groups themselves, ALL OF THESE THINGS AND MORE FOR A LOT LESS THAN THE COST OF A TICKET TO SEE AN NBA GAME! High school and college basketball games may not be as exciting as NBA, BUT THERE IS ONE ADVANTAGE-THE PLAYERS IN THOSE GAMES DON’T WALK OUT ON THE FANS WHILE THE GAMES ARE BEING PLAYED!

Even if the players dont get a salary this year the interest or money they make outside of playing basketball In the NBA will be more then the average fan makes in a year. They are greedy. I dont make more then the owner of the company I work for and niether should they…They preach all the time about how they love the fans…Thats BS..They could care less about the fan..And they are showing It now. derek Fisher makes more oer game then most of us average fans make In a year.

This lockout is insane! while the players and the owners have valid points to dispute over, its clear that ego has really taken center stage. They are both simply unwilling meet half way. Let the league agree to 51.5 percent for the players with a posible increase to 53 if its a record breaking season in reguard to revenue. likewise the players agree to double the dollar for dollar luxury tax(with a possible double increase in cases of severe abuse). The season can still be saved. The other contract issues are within reach. Hopefully the players are working out and ready to go. Im a basketball fan for life, if im not watching it im playing it. I can just use the time id use watching playing or working out. Im tired of watching ancient history games on NBA tv( I can only watch so much even if its Jordan, Magic, and Bird) If something dosent give soon the season is lost along with a lot of fans. Tagicly this being a ego thing, its unlikely that either side will budge until they reach the 50 game left mark. Do you remember the 50 game season? San Antonio still has an an asterisk by their chamionship!

I have a question for the players; Do you have to share a percentage of the money you make from the sneaker, gatoraide, and fast food commercials with the owners? How much money do you make in addition to your salary, split with the owners, and your endorsements? How much money do you need?

I own a Child Care Center. I pay salaries to those who work for me. It’s my business. I’m the one taking the financial risk. Why should I have to pay anyone based on my profit? I choose to pay bonuses, again it’s my business. If anyone demanded a bonus, I’d tell them to find another job.

Maybe during your time off, you could go get a real job and see what it’s like to work for a living. Two weeks vacation, 10 sick days a year, etc. Then see how much you have left of a normal sized pay check to go buy tickets to the game, a jersey, or a coke at a game. You won’t like it.

Stop being so greedy, do your job, and show the fans the respect you keep talking about.

I have been a Celtic die hard fan from Laryy era. I am hugley diappointed in all. I hope to God, KG wasnt instrumental in this last fiasco. Talk about greedy…………….they should be grateful the get to play a “game” for work. Basketball is the only sport I watch 82 games a year if I could.

I am seriously thinking about taking my Celtic shrine down in my house and NEVER watching a game again

I’m showing my age, but I started with Jo Jo White, Dave Cowens, Tiny, and Hondo! I remember reading Bob Cousey’s book, when he talked about how most of the guys had to have jobs to support their families and would have to take a leave of absence to play. They played for the right reasons; the love of the game! Red is rolling!

I’m slightly fed up with all this myself (being British and slightly fed up of course means I’m close to rioting….)

I got to thinking though and I now have a simple solution that benefits all sides:

Owners get 45%
Players get 45%

The last 10%? Easy! All the businesses (restaurants etc) that are struggling to stay open with the lack of people coming through their door get access to this money to help repair the damage done by the oft overpaid players and the owners little bit of bickering.

Oh and anyone that disagrees with the proposal when it’s present automatically forfeits their ‘side’ 5% of the BRI which goes to the small business and hard workers who keep the league alive.

firer them all when did it become more than a sport it should not be a profession bring in the college guys
there is no reason these guys should be making the money they make look at the guys in the world that put there LIVES on the line daily and tell me there worth it …..

I look at the NBA as a business that went wrong.
First Players demand on owners.Not to except 50/50 on Funds
Next Players demand on where they want to Play. Wrong
Small Market Teams can not compete.
Network TV Played only Big Markets . That was wrong.
Commisiner Stern very weak at that job. He saw this coming years ago and did nohing.
Players showing there anger when not being Played . What about the love of the Game.
You have to go to College Basketball.to see that.
Money has ruined the NBA.
I Being in the Entertaiment Bussiness Thats Radio . I see the downfall of a Sport that I loved.

Superstars don’t carry the NBA yeah the NBA done very well this year when it comes to revenue. So did Avator when it first came out last year but if you put it against ticket sales to kill a mockingbrid you will find that Avator had a poor showing. Problem is that everyone relate today success as a key stepping stone but forget to consider the value of money today than the it was before. No player in the NBA has market themselves as king of Basketball. MJ shoes still out sale toady player ball shoes. Because now More than ever before people are into the success of their out city it has many fans asking if they should even bother show love. Yeah Memphis had a great playoff run but still had problem selling tickets. Altanta has begin a playoff team for a good portion but still too many empty seats. Maybe fans are just stating the truth, the truth is why support if you are not going to win. My mother always told me make sure you know what your doing before you do because it makes no sense doing something when you can’t change the result.

Everyone know that OKC, Magic, Bulls, and Memphis was not going to win it all. I feel truly sorry for those that would argue different because fact is 9 different champion in 30 years of NBA. Facts are facts. NBA plays for big market teams.

NBA sucks.
these players seem to forget where they come from. take the 50/50, for gods sake. hopefully it will make for a more competitive league, in which teams like the timberwolves who have sucked for all of eternity, can actually have a chance and compete with boston or l.a, who buy their teams in order to become competitive. i look at the NBA logo now. it commands no respect what so ever. i just think of the greedy pigs of the players union, and how they themselves are destroying the game. i believe the owners. i understand that they really are perhaps trying to build a more competitive situation. sure theyve made mistakes with some of the contracts theyve distributed (rashard lewis, eddie curry) but in the long run, they reason they do this is because they want to secure what they see as the best talent available. what hurts the most is that there are legitimate players out there, who arent being paid an allstar salary, who arent on a lucrative sponsorship deal, who will soon enough, need to start working again. i cannot wait for the players union to crumble. the longer this drags out, the more the game will die. it took ten years to recover from the last lockout. id like to see them recover from this one.
good luck to the NBA. without the fans, your nothing. were not stupid. some of us cant even get a job, let alone go on strike because were not getting paid enough. sorry some of u earn $17 milliuon a year. isnt scalabrine on a million a year for sittin on the bench? good luck, seriously, because without us, theres nothing. my prediction: in 5 years, 5 teams wouldve had to close up shop, because they wont be able to afford the day to day runnings of an nba franchise. why? because all the money will be going towards the players. with a damaged brand, nobody will watch the game, meaning clubs wont make money at the parking lot, the concession stand, the ticket booth or the merchandise store.
im just going to sit back, amile, and watch it happen. well done players union. youve destroyed basketball

Well hello there. I just want to say that I am all for a lockout until a system is in place to male competing for a championship more equal. I love the Jazz but find it hard to be a fan anymore because i know LA, Boston and New York can pay more money for talent. Until this is addressed there is no reason for a season because I for one am sick of the unfair practices of richer teams.

I am sorry but the players are greedy SOB, what they are saying is that they cant live on 10 million a year they need more how about all these other people who live on 50K or less and we cant do anything to get more money to help live, Greedy sob players

If the NBA team owners treat the players like PEONS they will soon find that ALL the NBA players have fled.I couldn’t care less if the players DO go away.I hope the next thing that happens is that the FANS go away, too-and STAY AWAY-FOR KEEPS! THIS SHOULD BE THE LOCKOUT WHERE THEY DO!

The players are way to greedy, can any one of us get 50% of the profits where we work? People that have never worked a real job in their lifes and want more. Just wrong and this has gone way to far. The league needs to desolve the players union,set it back up like a real business with the owners and start over next season. I dont want my season tickets this season and would like a refund. Unless the spoiled ones get all they want they will not play to their potential and not to mention no preseason and not in true physical condition .

Did anybody here read what Bill Guerin who lived through the NHL Lockout said? “I learned a big lesson: It’s not a partnership. It’s their league, and you are going to play when they want,” he said. “It’s not worth it. Get a deal done,”

I know it is wishful thinking, but wouldnt it be great if the players and owners could just step back and see how the rest of us live. How our lives are turned upside down with the troubled economy. Hardworking people are losing their homes. Homes that are worth a fraction of an NBA players salary. Yet here we are, watching these spoiled, greedy fools ruin a form of recreation that millions of Americans look forward to every fall. Incredible that they can’t solve this in these dire economic times. Hugely insensitve.
I quit the NBA when my Sonics were hijacked from Seattle, so I’ll be fine. But I do hate to see other fans have to go through this.

I was looking forward to watching games and going to all local games this year but that is now impossible. My plan to manage basketball withdraw is by playing the game and riding my bike.

You guys should just try some physical activities to get your mind off basketball. You will forget about it in no time. Actually a year without NBA basketball it’s not that bad. I am planning to use up the money set aside for that on other activities. There are so many things we can use our time on.

Let’s face it, there won’t be any NBA basketball this year. The best thing is to write it off in our minds. If this drags for 2 years then next year will be easier then this one. Many fans won’t come back but those of us that follow our teams will probably be back.

I wish another league will pop up just to make things interesting. With so many buyers of the product this would be a perfect time to bring another league into the picture. It’s not that difficult actually.

I cant explain and express just exactly how dissapointed i am. Im not sure which side im more angry at, the players or the owners. All i know is i had much hope last week as they went into labour talks with the mediator. Unfortunately, we watched them walk out with no deal. I dont know when or if there will be a deal done but what i do know is that this life long fan in myself is completely gone and i have lost all hope. I am one hundred percent positive that i will never watch another NBA game in my life, and when i see a game on tv somewhere down the road i will be sure to keep surfing through the channels.

Come on Mike, EITHER JOIN A BOYCOTT OF THE NBA OR GET ONE STARTED! FANS CAN PLAY BASKETBALL
THEMSELVES AND HAVE A LOT OF FUN DOING IT. ALSO WATCH HIGH SCHOOL AND/OR COLLEGE BASKETBALL
WHERE THE PLAYERS DO NOT-I repeat, DO NOT-WALK OUT ON THE PEOPLE WHO PAID TO SEE THEM PLAY!
BUT REMEMBER ONE IMPORTANT THING:IT IS THE NBA TEAM OWNERS WHO HAVE THE POWER TO FIRE
THE COMMISSIONER, NOT THE FANS!

HELLO SPORTS FANS. FIRST OF ALL, I AM NOT A SPORTS FAN, ALTHOUGH I DO HAVE AN ECONOMIC INTEREST
IN THE NBA AND MLB. THIS LOCKOUT IS A PUBLISITY STUNT BY THE PLAYERS. THE REASON IS THE OWNERS HAVE ALL THE LEVERAGE, THE PLAYERS HAVE NONE. THE PLAYERS NEED THE OWNERS THE OWNERS DONOT NEED THE PLAYERS. AS A BUSINESSMAN, THE OWNERS CAN MOVE CAPITAL TO OTHER VENTURES, THE PLAYERS
CAN DO WHAT SELL USED CARS? ITS A JOKE, CANCEL THE REST OF THIS YEAR, AND RENEW THE OLD AGEEMENT.

really? how do you figure that the owners do not need the players?? THEY OWN A BASKETBALL TEAM, WITHOUT PLAYERS THERE IS NOT TEAM!!! I understand that they can venture out into other business practices with their arenas and even with the team name and all but where are they going to find a business venture that for 7-8 months fills your arena 2-3 times a week. NO WHERE!!!! Come on man, the owners DON’T HAVE A TEAM WITHOUT PLAYERS!! Do you seriously mean to tell me that the Oklahoma City Thunder would be anybody without Kevin Durant?? or the Cleveland Cavaliers would have had the success they did without Lebron James??

I am sooooooo dissappointed in the owners and especially the players. Owners you’ve made monsters of these men by paying that much in the first place… Players, there are approx. 400 players in the league — you make more money than the average person could ever dream of making, yet you have the nerve to be greedy and demand more or else…. WE (the fans) pay you with our little bitty salaries…. You greedy “chumps” should be ashame of yourselves.

Amen! I haven’t gotten a raise in years! I’m just as important to my company as a player is to his team. Should I be paid more? YES! But guess what? I DON’T HAVE THE SAME POWER TO ABUSE! I will never be at the status of an NBA Elite, but WAKE UP NBA!! Your money is NOT what makes the fans love the game. I watch basketball because it brightens my day, and makes me excited to have something to cheer for. I teach my daughter the rules and we play together on the court. I’m canceling my cable, trashing my jerseys and will NOT be buying tickets. Think about all those arena employees who won’t be working. What about the local TV stations who won’t be broadcasting? The local businesses who won’t be using players to sell their product? The staff members who clean their gym, locker rooms, the dance team who supports and cheers for them? NBA is obviously NOT thinking about them, and guess what? WE ARE YOUR FANS!! You really want to lose us?

So find something else that will brighten your day, like VISITING RESTAURANTS AND giving them your business.Maybe take the arena employees to lunch if you can afford to do so.I’m sure they’ll appreciate it and you will have gained an ally or two. BOYCOTT the NBA STARTING THE BEGINNING OF THE 2012-2013 SEASON.If THROWING MONEY AT A PROBLEM WON’T SOLVE IT, THEN BOYCOTT THE NBA and see what TAKING MONEY AWAY FROM THE NBA will do.

THAT IS WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE THESE PEOPLE WILL STOP POSTURING AND WAKE UP! THE LOSS OF THEIR FANS IS WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN ORDER FOR THESE MORONS TO SEE WHAT THEY’VE LOST WHEN IT IS TOO LATE! The people who have been put at risk of losing their jobs, though-could use a friend. THEY ARE THE ONES WHO SHOULD STOP SUPPORTING THE NBA! The people who own the arenas need some new ideas for raising capital that DOES NOT INCLUDE THE NBA!CONCERTS, ICE SHOWS, HOCKEY GAMES, ALL OF THESE WILL BRING IN MONEY TO THE ARENAS AND TO THE PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE WOULD NOT BE WORKING OR EARNING A PAYCHECK.

It is good that you teach your daughter the rules of the game of basketball;and that the two of you play on the court.I enjoy PLAYING basketball rather than WATCHING it; I am in a day program and I also enjoy bowling.Getting back to basketball I enjoy it too and I am in a group that gets together every Thursday to play basketball.People who have been thrown out of work by the NBA PLAYERS AND OWNERS-AND THIS IS ON COMMISSIONER DAVID STERN, TOO-SHOULD ALSO JOIN IN A BOYCOTT OF THE NBA! DITTO FOR THE OWNERS OF LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND OWNERS OF LOCAL SPORTS BARS AND THE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR THEM! I’m sure there are people who could come up with ideas for raising capital-CONCERTS, ICE SHOWS, HOCKEY GAMES(IF THERE ARE LOCAL HOCKEY TEAMS)-ALL OF THESE WOULD GENERATE REVENUE FOR THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

Read some of my posts, guys. They’ll tell you what to do and how to get through this work stoppage by the NBA OWNERS AND PLAYERS! MAKE THE OWNERS AND PLAYERS THE VICTIMS OF THEIR OWN GREED AND IDIOCY BY
BOYCOTTING THE NBA WHILE THE LOCKOUT IS GOING ON AND EVEN AFTER IT ENDS!HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE
BASKETBALL ARE BETTER THAN THE NBA IN AT LEAST ONE RESPECT:THE PLAYERS DON’T WALK OUT ON THE PEOPLE WATCHING THE GAME! BOYCOTT THE NBA AND TAKE YOUR CRY FOR RELIEF TO EVERY TV AND RADIO STATION AND NEWSPAPER IN THE COUNTRY!

I’ve had it with all of these talks. The first post in this article is right, the fans pay your salaries. The owners house the entertainment, the players play, and the fans pay. We don’t get any money for anything! We love the sport and we dish out countless dollars for EVERYTHING NBA related. Players should not act like they aren’t getting paid enough, because 90% you gave THE WORST PLAYOFFS I’VE EVER SEEN IN MY ENTIRE 16 YEARS OF WATCHING PLAYOFFS (what I remember). Nobody deserves to be paid for the lack luster show you guys put on last year! On top of that, the greed on both sides is really WILLING to damage the economy even more so? There’s no justice, both sides need to understand it’s bigger than just them. I’m sorry, I don’t understand what losing a few million could do to you but I REALLY DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT OWNERS NEED 1.8 BILLION BACK FOR??!! It doesn’t make any sense all the numbers I keep seeing keep degrading my respect for everybody in the league. There’s no excuse to keep this lockout going, nothing good comes from it; but they’re the only ones who don’t see it.

WHY DON’T WE JUST ACCEPT THE 50/50 AND MOVE FORWARD. THESE GUYS ARE NOT GOING TO BUDGE. I WISH ALL OF YOU GUYS COULD BE WORKING A REAL JOB LIKE I DO, THEN YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND. I MISS THE GAME AND YOU GUYS DON’T GIVE A DAMN!!!!

What a joke. We’re not naive. We understand that the nba is a business and that at the end of the day the only thing that “matters” is the bottom line. But both sides have made it pretty clear that they have a point to prove. I actually feel for the owners. It’s like they’re dealing with children. Hunter needs to take a hike and the union needs to wake up and smell the recession. I mean really? You’re the only ones making money! If you want to talk business, ALL teams must be profitable and competitive from time to time. This makes no sense. Don’t put this on us little guys either, like the vendors and restaurants are demanding kickbacks. No matter what they decide, no money is coming our way. As of Nov 1, average Joe is losing money.

I am a Detroit Pistons fan and I love Basketball, but I dont like what’s going on right now. The owners and players should be ashamed that they bicker over millions while the little people get it right in the face. Im sure the players had time to save and make adjustments for this lockout, but the concession workers or parking lot attendants didnt get a chance to make adjustments for this nonsense. The NBA Cares??? No they dont. I get sick when Derrick Fisher or Mr Stern keep tellin us they feel for the fans because it’s a lie. If they cared so much, a deal would have been done and people would be working and going to the games. I hope the NBA takes a huge hit so that mabey some of these millionares and billionares would finally think about the little people. They want our money to pay for high tickets and everything else that goes with with going to an NBA game, but you cant comprimise over 3 percent? I am dissappointed in the players, especially the ones who make big money. You showed up the last 2weeks of talks and you really think that someone will take you seriously? Im sick of the owners telling lies and Im sick of people trying to make this racial. People dont seem to have a problem with other sports stars being over paid, but now you have a problem because it’s the NBA or because most of the NBA players are black??? Dont get me wrong, Im sick of the tatoo’s, entourages and the arrogance that 95% of the NBA has, but it’s not about color, it’s about GREED and both the players and owners need to be taught a lesson. I hope the NBA loses their fans and support for the next 10 years because the owners and players look stupid fighting over this kind of money when so many people are struggling just to make it to their next check. I have lost a lot of respect for the NBA.

I also agree with this post. Both sides should be ashamed of themselves. I hear ‘ego’ talking, not logical, intelligent adults. I’m a diehard NBA fan, and up until now, I truly believed in the ability of Derek Fisher, both on and off the court. Sadly, I’m now losing faith, and respect (quickly) for both the NBA and the NBPA. SMH in disgust.

Don’t WAIT FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE IT NEVER WILL. MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN BY ORGANIZING A BOYCOTT OF THE NBA RIGHT NOW! The NBA PLAYERS AND OWNERS-and NBA COMMISSIONER DAVID STERN-MUST BE MADE TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN THEY TREAT FANS AS AN AFTERTHOUGHT! THEY MUST LOSE A BIG CHUNK OF THE FAN BASE THAT WILL NEVER RETURN UNTIL THE NBA IS NO MORE!

A BOYCOTT OF THE NBA IS THE ONLY THING THAT WILL BRING THESE PEOPLE DOWN TO EARTH!
I’M HOPING THAT MANY MORE FANS WILL POST COMMENTS FAVORING A BOYCOTT OF THE NBA!
FANS CAN-AND SHOULD-WATCH HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE BASKETBALL DURING AND EVEN AFTER
EVERY SINGLE NBA-ORCHESTRATED WORK STOPPAGE! ALSO FIND ACTIVITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN
DURING THESE WORK STOPPAGES AND TAKE THE MONEY AWAY FROM THE PROBLEM;STOP
THROWING MONEY AT THE PROBLEM!

As if 5 million dollars a year isn’t enough for doing something that you love day in, and day out, and being famous and idolized by millions around the world as a by-product of your job. How many of us around the world, would be wiling to do what the NBA players do FOR FREE, or for MINIMUM WAGE, myself included. And how many of us around the world are doing jobs we hate every single day, for minimum wage, with no chance of striking or complaining. and that’s those of us who are lucky enough to have jobs right now. Shame on the players. Taking us fans for a ride without any consideration.

Fans want basketball.
The owner should listin to the fans and the player should listen to the fans.
Fans pay good money for a game of basketball. STOP CRY LIKE BABY AND ACT YOUR AGE and stop wasting the fans time

BOYCOTT THE NBA IF NO DEAL IS REACHED AND SOON!The Best time to BOYCOTT THE NBA is at the BEGINNING of the 2012-2013 NBA SEASON!The people who stand to lose their jobs and the people whose businesses are also hurting should be asked to JOIN THE BOYCOTT of the NBA! The arena owners CAN-AND SHOULD-BOOK OTHER EVENTS FOR THE ARENAS THAT WILL KEEP THE MONEY COMING IN BUT THE NBA SHOULD BE MADE THE VICTIM OF A LOCKOUT BY THE VERY PEOPLE IT HAS VICTIMIZED WITH THIS ONE!Please patronize the restaurants and help the arena employess wherever you can;BUT THIS POSTURING BY THE PLAYERS and OWNERS MUST BE MADE TO COST THEM PLENTY!

I AGREE WITH YOU 100%, ANTHONY AND WITH EVERY OTHER POSTER WH SAYS TO HELL
WITH THE NBA! COMMISSIONER DAVID STERN’s OFFICE SHOULD BE INUNDATED WITH HATE MAIL-
MOST OF IT SAYING THAT THERE WILL BE A BOYCOTT BY THE REAL VICTIMS OF THESE
STUPID WORK STOPPAGES-THE FANS!

The owners and players are not only hurting us, but themselves and the entire economy. What happens to your minimal profit when not a single person can attend a game ’cause it’s not happening? It’s zeroed out. Gas stations and fast food restaurants near arenas? They aren’t as busy. The people who work the concessiions/ gift shops? They have no part time job until this starts. Take your 50/50 now while it’s a larger split, cause 50/50 of 4 billion is still more than 60/40 of 2 billion after all that profit loss.

6yr or more the deal with the nbpa and player and nba nbpa player 60% to 40% nba ownwers to finish this lockout in nba pls think about it because i am not waiting anymore nba season 2011-2012 pls think about the all fans of nba pls fast to finish the lockout
i can not wait any no longer
ps
fans of nba

anything above zero is, for me, more than fair. players claim they are the ones who make money for the owners. i agree. but the owners PAY them for playing. owners make money because they invested, hired players, pay people with their own money first. income split is a bonus. a bonus is something the giver decides as to how much and how often. the receiver should be thankful for getting something. players, don’t argue about what you did that they got money; they PAID you to do what you did, and your salaries combined is maybe even more than the salaries of all citizens combined in some countries.

Exactly. This is the owners business and the players play inside of this business. Yes its a pay cut, just like all other businesses here in the US have had to do lately. Splitting income earned 50/50 with the owners of the business you work for; you players really do not understand how good you have it.

I agree on 50/50 too, except the 50/50 comes AFTER the owners pay their operating expenses AND pay all other overhead expenses, such as arena fees and taxes. There will STILL be plenty left to divide from sponsorships, TV deals, shoe deals,etc. Players are killing the golden goose if they don’t get on board with that concept. The days of $10M per year for fringe players is OVER. Get with the program or try and form your own league. You’ll quickly understand what operating expenses truly invovle…and I guarantee the expenses won’t include a Bentley in every driveway. .

THE REAL VICTIMS OF THIS LOCKOUT ARE PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND ME. A BOYCOTT OF THE NBA
SHOULD INCLUDE THE PEOPLE WHO STAND TO LOSE THEIR JOBS OR HAVE THEIR BUSINESSES
FORECLOSED UPON BY THE BANKS! THE ARENAS CAN BE USED FOR CONCERTS, ICE SHOWS, HOCKEY
GAMES, ETC., IN ORDER TO KEEP THE MONEY ROLLING IN DURING THESE WORK STOPPAGES! MAKE
THE PLAYERS’ UNION, THE PLAYERS THEMSELVES AND THE OWNERS THE VICTIMS OF THEIR OWN
GREED, SHORTSIGHTEDNESS AND STUPIDITY FOR A CHANGE BY BOYCOTTING THE NBA!

The players deserve nothing but a paycheck they should recive nothing from the nba’s profits that is why the teams are in bussiness. I agree with the owners. the league is not filled with super stars and after a few months with no paychecks the union will start hearing from it real players. the league should have offered them nothing

.
I think it is a shame what the Players are doing.
Take the 50 50 and go on.with the season.
I also think Stern should step down as commisoner.
He saw this last couple of yesrs and he did nothing to stop this.
I own a Radio station. and I will not cover any stories on the NBA
I am ashamed at both sides now.
Tom B

I’ve seen posts from people who say there is NO TEAM PLAY ANYMORE IN THE NBA. IF you want to see team play watch high school and college basketball. That will give you all the TEAM PLAY you’re looking for! I have watched high school basketball games that were better in many ways than the NBA can boast it has.

FANS CAN PLAY BASKETBALL THEMSELVES OR THEY CAN WATCH HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE BASKETBALL. HIGH SCHOOL AND/OR COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYERS WILL NOT WALK OUT ON FANS HALFWAY
THROUGH A GAME! THE NBA SHOULD BE BOYCOTTED!THE OWNERS, HOWEVER, ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN GET RID OF THE COMMISSIONER(THEY PAY HIS SALARY)! LET’S NOT LEAVE THE ARENA EMPLOYEES OR THOSE WHO WORK IN RESTAURANTS OR SPORTS BARS NEAR THE ARENAS OUT IN THE COLD!

I don’t like posting things like this online, but I guess I’m going to start today because I’m sick and tired of the arguments between the owners and the players on the revenue split. Well, think about this. If there’s no season, what are you splitting?!?!? Nothing from nothing equals NOTHING!! I’m so sick and tired of over-paid athletes wanting more and more. OMG!! Listen to the fans! They want more!!! They want the season to begin!! I want the season to begin!! With the economy the way it is, business thrive off of what the NBA has to offer for their cities. If there’s no season, jobs are lost, people aren’t getting paid (and I’m not talking about the players when I say that) and for each day you’re in the lockout, you’re losing fans world-wide. I love the NBA, but I don’t know how much more of this I can take! Grow up, get this thing compromised, and get this season on! If other sports can do it, you can too! Stop being so greedy!!

The NBA has a goal, and that goal is for every team in the league to have an equal chance at a championship. The goal for the future is to become the NFL and not fall down the ranks and became the NHL.

The owners have pleaded strongly that the NBA is extremely lopsided when it comes to talent. That the big market teams have more of a chance for a championship.

Howard Beck from the New York Times wrote that the last four NBA champions had payed a luxury tax given to the biggest spenders. The other stat was that the 10 highest spending teams over the last 6 years have an average of 48 wins while the lowest 10 spenders averaged 34 wins. Although the stats may be convincing, I believe this argument came a few years too late. Maybe 6 years ago this theory could’ve been true but this season really proved this theory wrong.

I have been a fan of the NBA since I was a teenager. I am now over 50. I like it better than football and baseball!!! The fans basically need a ground swell approach. I now treat the union and the owners as one entity. Go ahead Mr. Stern, cancel another two weeks. For every week you cancel, I will stay away an extra week. See how much money you make when there is nobody in the arenas!! Cancel half the games, I will see you next season. This is supposed to be a game for the ages. All you do is cheapen the memory. Last season was wonderful. All you did was turn it into crap.

I am DONE with the NBA. I am not going to be paying hundreds of dollars per seat to watch these crybaby morons bounce a ball up and down the court anymore. Nice job DFisher and all of the superstars who made ticket prices quadruple over the past 5 years and now that the economy has fallen apart the pool of prospective ticket purchasers is MUCH smaller. Way to go morons. More proof that basketball players should keep to playing with balls and leave technical matters like paperwork in the hands of people that can read and write.

Neither will I. FANS CAN AND SHOULD LOOK INTO ACTIVITIES THEY CAN ENJOY THAT WON’T COST A LOT OF MONEY(PLAYING SPORTS THEMSELVES, GOING TO MOVIES ETC.). BUT DON’T FORGET THE PEOPLE WHO WORK
AT OR NEAR THE ARENAS. INVITE THEM TO JOIN YOU IN THE BOYCOTT OF THE NBA. HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE
BASKETBALL, TOO, ARE SUPERIOR TO THE NBA IN AT LEAST ONE RESPECT:THE PLAYERS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE BASKETBALL WON’T WALK OUT ON YOU.